I suffered severely from TIETZE SYNDROME (a more rare form of COSTCHONDRITIS lucky me eh) for over 8 years and was told by doctors I will have to learn to live with it but make life style changes to keep it at bay. I tried most things but the the main ones imo you need to work on before trying anything else are POSTURE (sit or lay properly not at crooked angles , don't lean on your elbows avoid lifting or repetitive awkward movements) and cut out things that irritate NERVES (Sugars Coffee Smoking/Weed and I found Hangovers set me off too) If you are here reading this you will know of the PAIN, ANXIETY. MENTAL TORTURE and DARK PLACES you can go to with pain that no one understands or anybody can see. You can try Acupuncture, Yoga, Meditation or stuff yourself full of whatever the doctor throws at you (that will ruin your insides) or do what I forced myself to do and SWIM! Please please please try it, it really helped me so much :) Cutting out the things I loved and swimming as much as I could I felt I was in control for the first time in a long time. I felt I had it at bay, BUT it was always still there waiting in the background waiting to rear its ugly head waiting for me to slip up. **DONT GIVE INTO IT**MAKE CHANGES**DONT LET IT BEAT YOU**TAKE CONTROL**ITS YOUR LIFE TAKE IT BACK** I am trying to keep this as short as possible but please guys make some changes and you might find it clears up :):):) When I first came across the Backpod I was dubious to say the least. Parting cash with something so seemingly simple was painful but I was pushed by a friend who was closest to understanding what I was going through and I've not looked back. DO THE SIMPLE STRETCHES AS EXPLAINED SOME WHERE ELSE as I did while waiting for delivery because I truly believe they get you ready for for the Backpod. The VERY FIRST USE of my Backpod and immediately it was uncomfortable on my lower spine and more so as I moved it up. When I got between the shoulder blade area SOMETHING POPPED/CLICKED I absolutely stained my pants as it was like nothing I can explain. A few moments later I was still feeling uncomfortable but also feeling a little lighter a little looser a little bit perkier I was now in 2 minds to whether I was in pain or pleasure but I can assure you it has only been pleasure since. I worked up form only 10 seconds to never exceeding 30 seconds on any one spot on or either side of the spine at one time. I am convinced the combination of making some LIFESTYLE CHANGES, SWIMMING maybe making me supple, STRETCHES I did as recommend for a week before delivery and then using the Backpod has cleared the intense episodes I were so frequently having. I went to A&E/Hospital in three different countries with suspected heart attacks and had suicidal thoughts, considered a mental home and even chopping my arm off. IT WAS THAT BAD!!!! Thankfully there ARE people out there who have also suffered, studied and have more knowledge than some GP's. I am so grateful for Steve's dedication to the the cause and creating the Backpod I will eternally be grateful. Really guys the biggest challenge is mindset. If it takes you one or two years to save for the Backpod, well then make the changes above I mentioned in preparation for the big day. There is light at the end of the tunnel you just need to take control and commit. Sorry to go on but if you enjoyed or can relate to my comment are willing or going to give it a go please give a thumbs up to help encourage and give others some hope and belief. Make your own luck, I felt your pain people!!

@camilleallen6057

3 жыл бұрын

Daniel Howells Thank you for this message. It gave me hope.

@lionheart944

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Daniel

@Birdie284

3 жыл бұрын

Give Up Weed?!?!!

@viktoreawhite7641

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Daniel for your comment. I have been struggling with costochondritis for over 5 months now. I have hit some deep dark places that no one understands. The feeling of Hoe story not feeling reassured from the doctors. Time & time again telling me all I can do is take ibprofun. It makes me feel so much better being able to hear someone with similar experiencesz

@eternallens994

Жыл бұрын

@@viktoreawhite7641 The doctors are useless. Christ gives me hope.

I got into using the backpod grudgingly, after reading Reddit comments for some time. I am glad I did. It worked for me!

I was recently diagnosed costochondritis and suffered from it unknowingly for 4 weeks prior. I was so frightened and scared..I just received my back pod and it produced immediate relief. It's just not there anymore! I hope with more use in the next coming weeks, that it wont return... Weeks of anti inflammatory medicine and pain killers prescribed by doctors did nothing!! Thank you so much for your incredible device and your outstanding passion 😁🙏

@stevenzphysio4203

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much, Leon. There's some as might call it neurotic obsession.. Well done on thinking for yourself, and I'm pleased the Backpod's helping. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. I guess not until after lockdown lifts, though. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then you’d better do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

@AstralArms

4 жыл бұрын

@@stevenzphysio4203 I'll certainly keep in touch with my progress! You've been quite an inspiration to us all; there's finally a light at the end of this tunnel! Thank you!

@marilyngradillag.3967

3 жыл бұрын

Did you use it directly on the spine ?

@dr.ankitagautam4782

2 жыл бұрын

Works wonders ✨️

@adwaeethandmokshagna8193

Жыл бұрын

@@stevenzphysio4203 Dear Steve August. Iam having costo since last 15 months. After using backpod I had soreness on the complete back. Now soreness reduced on the sides of the spine. But iam experiencing pain on the spine because of using backpod directly on the spine. Can I use backpod only on the sides of the spine to cure my costo. Please suggest.

Hey steve just a general comment. It feel so good to use the backpod and feel like the man when walking in a room because of my posture drastically improving😅. Really like your product Sir. Thank you!

Hi, Steve! I want to first thank you and your team for making these Backpod videos, but I also want to thank you for taking the time to reply to all of us in these comments. I bought the Backpod last month but was hesitant about using it. Since this device deals with the spine, I wanted to ingest as much knowledge as I could find on safely using it. I have "military neck" and forward head syndrome/iHunch/Dowager's Hump, so I was especially interested in where to precisely position the Backpod to correct these. I also have slipping rib syndrome and mild EDS, so you can see why I was extra cautious before using this. I read the booklet that came with the Backpod and then read the PDFs on your website, but I wanted to read more experiences, reviews, and tips before using it, so I extensively researched online. 💯 Hands down, the most valuable resource has been your detailed replies to the hundreds and hundreds of people - some who have not even purchased the Backpod - over the years who asked you for help with their individual issues. You giving detailed, personalized answers to hundreds of people takes time out of your day, but you've never asked for anything in return. It shows you really have your heart in helping people get better. Reading your replies to people in your videos' comments has been more informative than the numerous chiropractors I've been to for my neck issues. (No offense, but 99% of the chiropractors I've been to have been more interested in upselling me than helping my posture, so I became distrustful of the profession after too many expensive, useless experiences.) Your knowledgeable and caring responses have put my fears at bay. I sincerely appreciate the extra mile you go to genuinely help people. I've been using the Backpod for a little over a week, and the exercises feel great. I'm very flexible, so I chose to not start with any pillow aids. The Backpod instantly alleviates the tight areas around my neck and shoulder so much that I wish I could stay in each position for 60 minutes instead of just 60 seconds. 😂 (I'm pretty sure I am using it correctly, but I'm excited for your upcoming glass table video so I can completely ensure my overanalyzing self that I'm 100% using it correctly.) My Dowager's hump isn't too extreme, but it is noticeable and it bothers me so much that I purposely dress to hide it whenever I wear my hair up. I have no doubt that with regular use, the day will come when it will decrease significantly. Thank you a billion times for giving me hope that this day might even come. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

Hello, E O. Thank you very much. Yes, with your mild EDS, do take it quietly - as per the instructions in the booklet. You will need to add in the exercises, stretch, home massage and posture in the program in the user guide as well as the Backpod. It's the combination that's most effective - we just put together the simple basics that this immensely common problem needs. People with EDs and other highly flexible people often get told that they're so wonderfully flexible that they don't need any stretching, etc. However what very commonly happens is that they still jam and tighten up spinal and rib joints, like the rest of us do, but because the rest of their joints are moving so well and fully this masks the frozen ones. So you have to use very specific techniques to free up the tight bits - hence the Backpod. So, go for what feels right. Use it more on the tight bits specifically, and don't worry about your bits which are already moving fine. EDS does need muscle support for those very flexible joints. I've included just the two most basic strengthening exercises in the user guide. If you want to take it further, I'd recommend Pilates - it's a good approach for quietly building support strength, but without the extreme strains and jolting a lot of gyms and other sports involve. Re your slipping rib syndrome - concentrate on using the Backpod on the curve of the ribs (just beside the spine a bit) where the extra movement is happening. SRS is trickier to sort out than costochondritis, but it's still the same principle - free up the tight rib joints around the back that are driving the excessive movement further around the rib. I appreciate the thank-you. I'm pretty swamped, and I do want a life back. We're in the middle of setting up a searchable 100 FAQ / topic site called CostochondritisAnswers.com as a resource for patients, doctors and EDs. Hopefully that'll have enough specific answers that I won't need to keep responding. After that I'm going on a loong holiday! Cheers, Steve August.

You are a wonderful human. I wish we knew about you long time ago

Thank you Steve for creating this little device. I am self diagnosed with costochondritis. I have had every symptom to the condition down to the emergency room visit where I thought I was having a heart attack , the doctor just thought I was having an anxiety attack even though I was paralyzed in pain on my right side. I’ve even had a doctor dismiss my pain and say that it was an anxiety issue. So I self diagnose myself to figure out what was wrong with me because it’s not normal to be in so much pain and take medication for inflammation and not have it even touch the pain. I’ve use this back pod a few times and I got relief from the first treatment that I did. I really didn’t think it would work but honestly I totally recommend it and I will continue using it until I am in zero pain. This little device is life-changing.

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Hi Theresa. Well done on thinking for yourself. I do hate that so often a sensible concern about a scary mysterious chest pain which the docs clearly don't understand or fix gets you dumped into an anxiety pigeonhole as though that's all that's going on (and it's somehow your fault). The good docs don't do this, but it sure does happen. Here's a long wordy PDF on what costochondritis actually is and what we find works best to fix it. It is more easily read on a computer, not a phone. The PDF covers using the Backpod for costo, and also the other bits that often need dealing to as well. Cheeringly, these can nearly all be done by yourself at home. It takes a bit of time and effort, but it's not that difficult. Good luck with the work! www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/Costo-treatment-plan-incl-Costo-and-iHunch-PDFs-19-July-2022.pdf

I had very bad costro for a long time . I was so desperate and I came across the pod and followed the directions on how to properly use this along with advice givin from him and I’m back to normal ! I still use it to stretch my spine out along with chiropractic treatment and foam rolling and I’m doing great :) . Was worth every penny thank u so much doc for your invention and time to give advice over the net . Can’t explain how great full I’m to u !

@stevenzphysio4203

4 жыл бұрын

Hi DJ. Well done. And thanks. Mostly people write in with their problems so it's really nice when someone comes back to show that of course costo is fixable and they've done it. Go well. Cheers, Steve August.

I recieved mine this week. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH, for years i been trying to explain to my chiropractor this pain in my chest. Thank you thank you

@stevenzphysio4203

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Richard. Thank you. Well done on thinking for yourself. Please DO follow the instructions in the user guide and give it time to stretch the tight bits. I've no idea what your chiro's doing. The good ones are very good, but I don't have a high opinion of the trad US ones for treating costo generally. (1) They usually use the standard body-slam-onto-the-patient-with-their-fist-in-your-back technique. This is usually a poor choice with costo, because it just squashes and strains further the already strained rib joints on your breastbone. Every time. (2) In my experience, they have a bias towards manipulating the spinal joints and (often) missing the rib joints - and freeing these up is the irreducible core of fixing most costo. (3) All manipulation does is bang a tight hinge free. It doesn't put anything at all "back in" - that's just a nonsense phrase meaning nothing. I’m speaking as a New Zealand physio - I’ve used manipulation myself for over 30 years. It cannot in a split second stretch out the very tough collagen of the ligaments and joint capsule surrounding the joint which will have stiffened down around the immobile joint. So this just freezes the hinge up again rapidly. That's why we developed the Backpod - to stretch out the collagen so the joints can stay free and you get a lasting improvement. We think the chiro approach of continually banging the same bits free is silly and expensive. Rule of thumb (ho ho) - if you're getting a temporary improvement with chiro (so it is a joint problem) then you should get a permanent freeing up on the Backpod. It’s particularly relevant to costo - the Backpod is the only thing we can find that will actually do an effective stretch on tight rib joints, and this is the crucial thing in fixing costo. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August.

@Elennmin

2 жыл бұрын

How are you today ?

Superb healthcare tool!! Had lots of back stiffness after heart surgery in 2015 and have always been round shouldered. Took me 2 months to not need the pillows. I do it daily as part of my wellness routines. (age 70)

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Well done, Paul. Costo is really common after any form of chest surgery. The surgery is done for perfectly good life-saving reasons. But surgeons don't usually think of the down-the-line effects from pulling the ribs or sternum apart to do the op. The massive strain on the rib joints round the back means they often scar and freeze afterwards. When they can't move, the rib joints on your sternum MUST move excessively, just to let you breathe. So they strain, get painful - and welcome to costo. If you've had a sternal split op then you get a double hit of pain from scarring repair making the nerves on your sternum hypersenstive. Here's a long wordy PDF on the other bits you might also to sort out any lingering pain. See especially Section (6) on what to do for specific scarring and ethering around the front of your chest as well. Cheers, Steve August.

Very well demonstrated and described. Thank you!

Thanks for the info, Steve.

This is amazing, got mine two weeks ago. The relief I am getting from Costochondritis has blown me away. I was taking pain killers using ice and heat nothing was working. The relief from this can be felt almost straight away. Started slow and build up from using on the bed to the floor etc. Thank you so much.

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Well done on thinking for yourself, Scott. Stick with it - it needs more yet. But you're obviously winning. Keep going - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However NOT until it’s safe with COVID-19. At a minimum, you should both wear masks, hand sanitise, and when you get home take all your clothes off and put them straight into the washing machine and you straight into the shower, including washing your hair. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

I received mine today. It might be the best investment in my life.

@marilyngradillag.3967

3 жыл бұрын

Did it work for you . This is going to be my first week

@uwotm1962

3 жыл бұрын

Same? Did it work?

@hurolinci5986

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, I have been using it all this time. The pain and stiffness won´t just disappear overnight but if you do it regularly and play with different positions long enough you should see results soon enough. That being said, I have no idea what underlying condition each of you have. In my case I could hear knocks along my spine every time I used it. Nowadays I barely feel one and that´s only when I was off for too long. Good luck!

@satyapriya4274

Жыл бұрын

​@@hurolinci5986 hi need help in how many months issue solved with back pod

@satyapriya4274

Жыл бұрын

​@@hurolinci5986 is u r issue resolved

After 5 grueling months with costo, I did some independent research and found this. I just got it in the mail today and am trying it out first time. I’ll update in a few weeks if it helps with the pain/inflammation. I have high hopes, wish me luck!

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Well done on thinking for yourself, deciding I might know what i’m talking about, and getting a Backpod. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However NOT until it’s safe with COVID-19. At a minimum, you should both wear masks, hand sanitise, and when you get home take all your clothes off and put them straight into the washing machine and you straight into the shower, including washing your hair. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. Get them to go hard down between your shoulder blades. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

i live in new york and if you watch the news, you know that covid 19 is taking lives by the thousands here. my anxiety has been through the roof over it. two weeks ago, i developed chest pain that concerned me the point where i went to an urgent care to get a chest x-ray (i also was tested for covid yesterday, fingers crossed) and it came back “perfect” and was ruled out as costochondritis. it hurts so bad that i feel like i’m going into cardiac arrest or having a heart attack, lung failure, you name it. i pray that it truly is just costo and NOT corona. i’ll know in about 24 hours and if i am negative, i am 100% purchasing the back pod! i know have hope in helping this pain and reducing my anxiety levels. i feel some relief in watching your videos! thank you!

@stevenzphysio4203

4 жыл бұрын

Good luck, Kristin - scary times! This may help. Fingers crossed on Covid-19. However there's a home test you can do yourself for the tight rib machinery causing costochonritis. Have a look at the Costochondritis page of the Backpod's website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/costochondritis/ Do the sitting twist test on that page. Do follow the instructions for it very accurately; you'll need someone to turn your torso. If you get pain and restriction turning towards your painful costo side, then it's almost certainly the tight rib bit I've been describing - in which case it's logical and fixable. I have to be honest - nothing says you can't have Covid-19 as well, but at least if you've got obvious tight rib costo, then that explains the pain now. By the way, immobility at those posterior rib joints won't show on X-ray, which is a still photo, so can't show whether the joints can move fine or are completely frozen. With costo, it's the latter.

@rizosaurusrex

4 жыл бұрын

You might of got covid by going to the urgent care clinic. Many positive people with covid go there for testing especially in New York with over 100k confirmed cases now

COSTO HAS FUCKED MY LIFE UP. I desperately need help. I Just ordered my back pod off Amazon, I have tried everything and have been to rehab twice for opioids due to this pain. In January of 2023, I had a titanium plate surgically installed in my sternum from a thoracic surgeon which didn’t work either. He thought stabilizing the area would help combat inflammation. Costo has fucked my head up, I’m am always depressed and anxious and sometimes think being dead would be better than one more day of this hell. To anyone else suffering, I pray for you all. Never take your health for granted!!!

@jackhohenwarter7362

Жыл бұрын

I should mention I’ve had costo for 6 years now. 25 year old male. I will continue to post my progress once I begin using the backpod. Good luck, don’t ever give up hope.

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Hello, Jack. Unfortunately you're not alone. Also unfortunately, what you got was a typical surgeon answer - immobilise the straining rib joints at the front, but don't ask WHY they're straining in the first place. It's not a "mysterious inflammation" arriving for no reason - of course it's not! The front rib joints strain and locally irritate and inflame because the ones around the back are frozen and can't move. Duh. So ANY treatment solely for the front joints is missing the point - you have to free up the frozen patch around the back which is causing the strain and pain at the front. We were flabbergasted to discover that most of the rest of the world outside New Zealand and Aussie manual physio doesn't understand this basic point. It's supported by the actual published medical research and the "mysterious inflammation" silliness isn't - if you actually go and look. Good - you've got a Backpod. We think it's the single best tool in the world for stretching free the frozen rib joints around the back - and freeing these up is the irreducible core of fixing costo. If you haven't had this approach, then no-one's treated your costo correctly so far. DO read the instructions carefully and DO follow them accurately. Also, you'll need other bits. It's not just the Backpod alone. Here's a long wordy PDF covering them. It's easier read on a computer, not a phone. See especially Sections (3), (4) and (6). You'll need all those. It takes time and effort, and go quietly as per the instructions or you'll flare things up. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August. www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/Costo-treatment-plan-incl-Costo-and-iHunch-PDFs-19-July-2022.pdf

@jackhohenwarter7362

Жыл бұрын

@@stevenzphysio4203 doctor Steve, thank you for the reply. I began using the backpod today and can feel the stretching at work. I am going to continue using everyday. I am also starting physical therapy next week. Hopefully both of these treatments combined will help alleviate some of my pain. I just pray the surgery I got in January did not make things worse. I’ll post my progress over the next few weeks.

@jackhohenwarter7362

Жыл бұрын

DAY ONE: Backpod delivered this morning. I work from home so I was able to use it on and off throughout today. I also use a foam rolling pad to help stretch. The backpod is definitely a unique device that stretches the rib cage in ways the body/other devices cannot. After using it all morning and afternoon, I do feel like there’s been a slight reduction in the inflammation in my sternum. Could it actually be working already?? Or is it maybe placebo??? Who knows, but I’ll keep using it if I think it helps in the slightest

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

@@jackhohenwarter7362 Hi Jack. Good oh. Yes, it's often quite fast. The more the rib joints around the back move, the more the rib joints on the breastbone don't have to. Yes, also - the stable peaked shape of the Backpod can do a thorough stretch on tight rib joints whereas the long length of a foam roller cannot. BUT - you're stretching frozen and tight stuff that hasn't moved for 6 years. Take it quietly as per the instructions or you'll get sore, especially in the first week. Also, you will need Sections (3), (4) and (6) in the PDF, as I said. Also Section (5), now I know you're working from home. But hang in there. It's all logical and should respond fine. This is just bog standard New Zealand manual physiotherapy. Takes some time and effort.

Hi Steve! Love your product very much. I have a very tight back and had a severe flare up of costochondritis this last week. I am in lots of discomfort with my shortness of breath because of the flare up and tightness. I went to a sports doctor in Christchurch who said this doesn’t happen with costochondritis and I am an anxious person who should be on antidepressants, which is not true. Do you know of any good physiotherapists located in Christchurch with good knowledge on costochondritis? I’ll continue to use your product everyday, my dad just wanted someone to check out my back as I’m really struggling to breathe with this flare up.

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Hi Michaela. No, your doctor is wrong. Shortness of breath is a classic costo symptom. The same tight or immobile rib joints round your back that cause the costo strain and pain at the front rib joints, also mean that you can't breathe in fully. You can't fill your lungs fully if you can't expand your rib cage fully, and you can't do that if some of the hinges round the back can't move. So, sure you'll get breathless with costo, even though the lungs themselves are fine. Incidentally, this won't show on X-ray, or CAT or MRI scans, which are all still photos and simply can't show if the rib joints round the back can move fine or are completely frozen solid - which they will be with costo. Go see Marty Hepburn at PhysioEvolved at 1/1063 Ferry Road, down the bridge over the Heathcote end; phone (03) 384 4766. Marty's superb on the surrounding tight muscle which is part of the rib cage restriction, and he can drop you across to the physios if there's anything he can't sort out. There are good physio techniques for your back. Your dad's right - that needs sorting too. The physios there are great, and also do hour long appointments - time to do it properly.

@michaelahicks6212

Жыл бұрын

@@stevenzphysio4203 Hi Steve thank you so much for replying! I will see Marty tomorrow, thank you

Hey Steve! Thank you so much for this video! I’ve been using the back pod for the better part of three weeks now, slowly removing pillows once per week. The initial chostro in my left sternum area is gradually decreasing but I get this sharp pain in my lower left breast just under the nipple whenever I twist my torso to the right. A couple days ago I was in my armchair and found when I breathed deeply I got the same pain in the lower left breast area and a tiny point in my left shoulder. I lean on the side of hypochondria & I've been instructed by my doctor that whatever pain I’ve been experiencing is ‘not’ cardiac related (he’s seen me multiple times and each time he points to Costro), but I do get nervous about it sometimes cause it just seems like the left side of my chest gets a new spot of pain all the way down the center. I’m also guilty of bending forward more than I need to when sitting. Based on the symptoms I’ve described, Would you say my lower left breast pain is still costochondritis? Again, love the backpod & appreciate your videos!

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Michael. Sure sounds like it. Relax - trust your doc. They're really good at checking out the heart and other dire possibilities; they're just (usually) not good on costo. Stick with the Backpod. It’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time, but it's obviously freeing up fine. Do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. But you're also tight around the front. That's why you get that pain on the left when you twist to your right - it pulls on the soft tissue, pec muscles, etc. on your chest. Ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However NOT until it’s safe with COVID-19. At a minimum, you should both wear masks, hand sanitise, and when you get home take all your clothes off and put them straight into the washing machine and you straight into the shower, including washing your hair. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. Get them to go hard down between your shoulder blades. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. It's getting there fine. Well done on thinking for yourself. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

GREAT VIDEO STEVE!...

Hi Steve, I recently received your Backpod and I've been using it for a few days now in hopes of fixing my costo and particularly the intense shortness of breath I suffer from. I've dealt with it chronically for many years; my chiropractor was usually able to fix it in the past when I had similar flare-ups, but this time it's just not going away, so I decided to try your product! It was a bit uncomfortable the first few days, but I've gotten used to it now. I do have one question, though: when I'm actually on the Backpod, my breathing seems to ease up quite a bit and I'm actually able to take in more breath than usual, but the second I get off it, I'm immediately super tight again and struggle to inhale deeply. Have you experienced this with many of your patients? How long do you think it'll take until the breathlessness goes away? This current flare-up has lasted since December, so just about 4 months of tightness now.

@stevenzphysio4203

Ай бұрын

Hi. I'd say you've been steadily getting tighter around your rib cage, muscles and joints. Manips are only a temporary unlocking of the joints - they just tighten up again if that's all you do. Also, I have noticed that chiros tend to have a bias to just unlocking the spinal joints, and missing the rib joints where the ribs join onto your spine. These are the crucial ones for breathing, because they have to be fully free to let your rib cage expa=nd fully, to enable a full breath in. If they're tight, it's like wearing a tight corset - sure, you'll get breathless. So - keep going. A few days isn't long enough for the Backpod to stretch the tight collagen material around the joints so they can stay moving okay. Here's Here's a long wordy PDF on costochondritis and what we find works best to fix it. It is more easily read on a computer, not a phone. You can skip the bits relating to costo, but there's really relevant info about freeing your rib cage fully. See especially Section (2) on using the Backpod all the way up its progression, to longer, stronger stretches, plus the sitting twist exercise, to work the joints freer again.. Also sections (3) and (4) on massage and pec stretches. See Section (10) on getting back into exercise also - the walking to cross-trainer progression is ideal for getting more air in as your rib cage gets freer. Good luck! www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/Costo-treatment-plan-incl-Costo-and-iHunch-PDFs-19-July-2022.pdf

@greyleaf

Ай бұрын

@@stevenzphysio4203 Great, thank you for the reply! I'll be sure to read all of this thoroughly and take your advice to heart. Also, one more question if you don't mind: for some reason, the areas around certain vertebrae on my back always start to hurt whenever I get these flare-ups (I can easily find the spots with a Thera cane), and unfortunately putting the Backpod _directly_ on the spine is extremely painful because of these areas. Off to the sides is totally fine, but putting it right on the spine hurts, and it also makes me feel even tighter than when I got on it. It's not the Backpod itself causing the pain, either, the pain is already present at all times. Both my chiro and physio I had in the past have told me these are indeed costo flare-ups, but I haven't heard of anyone experiencing pain right on the vertebrae like I do. I just didn't know if you happened to know why these areas are so painful and maybe how I should go about treating them?

Hey Steve! Can I use it twice a day? Cant find that information in the user guide :)

@stevenzphysio4203

6 ай бұрын

When you're good enough. It takes time to stretch. I don't know how you're using the Backpod, or how free your joints now are. Feel your own way - if you're doing too much too soon, it'll get sore. So back off a bit if it does.

Having suffered horrendously from costo for 3 years now since a car accident, I only just heard about this and ordered it as soon as I did after hearing people's reviews. So excited to try it and praying it helps, literally nothing has so far and honestly am at the end of my tether as I struggle to even exist or breathe.

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

@Lightspeed Unfortunately that's a common story. Have a look down the bottom of the Backpod's New Zealand Costochondritis page - link is www.bodystance.co.nz/en/costochondritis/ There's a PDF there with the full user guide, plus a treatment plan PDF with the practical detail of the other bits you're likely to need too. Costo is common after a car crash. The impact of your chest on the steering wheel, air bag or dashboard send the shock through to the joints around the back of your rib cage also. So they jolt, then scar up and freeze. The acute front damage heals, but the pain continues because the rib joints on your breastbone have to move excessively as long as the rib joints on your spine can't move at all. That's what costo IS. If you got physio consisting of just exercises, it doesn't work with costo. (I'm a physio myself.) Any mobility exercise will just strain further the already straining rib joints on your breastbone, way before you get a benefit to the tight joints around the back. Good luck with the work! Of course it's not a mystery, of course it's not a "mysterious inflammation", and of course it's (usually) readily fixable. Cheers, Steve August.

@LightspeedGaming

Жыл бұрын

@@stevenzphysio4203 Thank you so much for your reply. I've been using it since I commented and for the first time in 3 years I'm actually able to go about most of my day without pain, I'm honestly amazed, and at the same time angry I've suffered for years with suggestions and treatment from supposed professionals actually making it worse, when it could have been resolved or at least relieved by something so simple. Thank you again, you have no idea how much of a difference you have made on my life with this, and I'm sure many others.

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

@@LightspeedGaming Thanks - I appreciate that. Happy new year!

I have a friend who had such bad costo she was missing work and in terrible pain. She found this video on the backpod, gave it a try, and it REALLY worked for her. She uses it every night now and is almost completely out of pain. I have mild scoliosis and just bought mine. I notice my scoliosis because one shoulder is always higher than the other. Wow, this thing looks so innocent, but I need 3 pillows when using it. Anyway, hoping for some change as I use the backpod daily over a number of months. Thanks for the video!

@stevenzphysio4203

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Susan. Thanks - great to get the feedback. Stick with it - you're really tight if you need the three pillows. It does take time to stretch. Try using the Backpod on your sacrum as well - it's in the user guide. I'm only guessing, but a twist in the sacrum is often part of a scoliosis. I have a mild scoliosis myself - I get no pain or problems because I simply keep the joints free on the Backpod, usuing it only once every few weeks. It takes time and e=ffort to get things free, but once there it's usually easy to maintain them. Also, ideally shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've a scoliosis, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs and down your back and sides, plus usually the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. The two massages in the Backpod's user guide will help lots as well. Cheers, Steve August.

Hi Steve, I have costo and have been using the backpod for almost 2 months now. Before using it I was very tight and it was very painful around the sternum and ribcage areas, and a week into using it, it had started to feel a little better. It took me a couple weeks to be able to lay on it without a pillow, and started to feel good stretching. I still feel soreness in my back after using the backpod, and throughout the day. I use the backpod for 20 minutes, 2 times a day, both vertically and horizontally while lifting my buttocks up off the ground. I tend to go 3-4 days while feeling fine, but always relapse into feeling pains and tightness again even though I maintain use of the backpod. I also feel soreness around my collarbones and shoulders almost 24/7. I guess I’m asking, how long can it take for my hinges to unlock while using the backpod? Also, would it be effective to use the Backpod for longer or maybe once more a day? I wanted to thank you in advance for even looking at this, it’s commendable that you respond to all of us when you don’t have to. You’re a saint, Steve.

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Hi. Well done on thinking for yourself. Sounds like you've done a good thorough job on the Backpod freeing up the tight rib and spinal machinery round the back. Most probably, you need a few extra bits that the Backpod itself can't do: (1) Start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. (2) Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However NOT until it’s safe with COVID-19. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. (3) You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html (4) The Backpod can't get any leverage on collarbones. I'd bet you were tight on these as well as your rib cage, and you're feeling them more now because they're still tight but the rib cage has freed off okay. Try seeing a physiotherapist (PT) - there are hands-on techniques to free tight collar bones. It is a lottery finding someone good, though. (5) I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then you’d better do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

@Gvvnarayana7

Жыл бұрын

How is your pain now

Hi Steve , I've been using the back pod for 8 months, can use it with no pain most of the time now. Are there any more advanced moves or stretched I can try to get me 100% better. I'd say I'm 80% better and still get flare ups

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Matthew. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However NOT until it’s safe with COVID-19. At a minimum, you should both wear masks, hand sanitise, and when you get home take all your clothes off and put them straight into the washing machine and you straight into the shower, including washing your hair. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. Get them to go hard down between your shoulder blades. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

@matthewparker4517

2 жыл бұрын

@@stevenzphysio4203 wow thanks for the great reply Steve

@Gvvnarayana7

Жыл бұрын

How is your pain now

@matthewparker4517

Жыл бұрын

@@Gvvnarayana7 my pain has now gone ;

@Gvvnarayana7

Жыл бұрын

What was ur histiry

Got my pod in today and used it and man it felt so good to stretched those ribs I been dealing with costo for 2 years and after doing research I landed here ill keep you guys posted

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Rosalio. Well done on thinking for yourself. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However NOT until it’s safe with COVID-19. At a minimum, you should both wear masks, hand sanitise, and when you get home take all your clothes off and put them straight into the washing machine and you straight into the shower, including washing your hair. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then you’d better do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

@marilyngradillag.3967

3 жыл бұрын

Any luck ?

Hello steve, I just wanted to thank you and all those who recommended the backpod. I only very recently developed costo and I wanted to help the problem before it potentially got worse as I heard people could suffer from it for over 10 years. It was so scary at first - I thought it was heart related issues and was making me really irritable and confused. Caused by me binding my chest (I am transgender) and exercising - I hunch over at the computer or desk a lot so I assume it would have eventually developed from that also. I have only been using it a week and I can say it's loosening up parts of my back and relieving pain whenever I use it. It's actually encouraged me to go back to do physical things again. =) THank you

@stevenzphysio4203

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Mich. Pleased the Backpod's helping. I see that on the Wikipedia Costochondritis entry there's mention of costochondritis starting off with chest binding. I really have no idea how common transitioning is, with chest binding as part of it. However what I can say as a physiotherapist is that I think everyone using chest binding should also be using a Backpod. The reason is completely obvious from a manual physio viewpoint. The binding will of course immobilise the rib machinery around the back of the rib cage, where the ribs hinge onto your spine. Yet you still have to have some movement at the joints of the rib cage or you can't breathe - it doesn't all just happen at the diaphragm. So what happens is that the much more delicate rib joints round the front, where your ribs hinge onto your sternum, will strain and give - a lot like spraining an ankle. This will happen with every breath you take, and of course they'll get painful. Once it's established, it's likely to continue, even after you stop chest binding. By them, the rib machinery around the back has become thoroughly frozen and immobile, and the straining painful rib hinges on your breastbone have become hypermobile, strained and slightly floppy. (They may click and pop a lot too - another indication of the ongoing strain at them.) If, like most people, you're also getting hunched and tight anyway from much bending over laptops, tablets and smartphones, then that will add to it all - see the Backpod's iHunch page - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ The pain at the rib joints on your breastbone, usually called costochondritis, is not, repeat not, a "mysterious inflammation" - no matter what doctor has told you it is. See the KZread video I did covering the actual published medical research on costochondritis - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pmyflK58fMi4Ypc.html What the research actually says is completely different from the popular and popular medical view of costo - which is simply wrong, which is why trying to suppress this "mysterious inflammation" doesn't work. Have a look over the Costochondritis page on the Backpod's website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/costochondritis/ The Backpod is the obvious counter to costochondritis with chest binding. You can use it to free up and keep free the movement at the rib machinery around the back, which means the rib joints on your sternum don't have to strain. You're going through major enough changes as it is - I don't see that you need scary chest pain to be part of them. Stick with it. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point (but not before), start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html So long as it's not a problem for you. This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. As well, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. The sitting one for the back and rib cage muscles is going to be particularly helpful. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well - when you can. There’s a good gentle pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I hope this is useful. It should be. I don't think anyone else has analysed the problem like this, but it's just simple New Zealand physio principles. Please do feel free to pass it around - you won't be the only one with exactly the same problem. Far from it. Best of luck. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

@poom2205

4 жыл бұрын

Steve NZ Physio hi Steve, thank you for writing out such a helpful reply. Is there any risk in me doing circus/acrobatics while I’m still using the backpod? I recently started classes and It hasn’t been painful anymore but yes definitely still tight - I’m getting massages soon and also I have stopped binding while I loosen up my upper back. I am definitely not the only transgender person who has developed Costo from binding so you’re probably right about that and from your research.

@stevenzphysio4203

4 жыл бұрын

@@poom2205 Sure, but that's nothing to do with the Backpod. The Backpod is just stretching free the tight stuff round your back and ribs. If anything, doing that will reduce the risk of straining or locking something on circus/acrobatics. It's the circus/acrobatics that are the risk if anything is, but that's up to you.

Just got mine. Let's see how it goes 🤞

@704chopsuey4

3 жыл бұрын

How did it go

@SRZRB

3 жыл бұрын

@@704chopsuey4 it's definitely helping a lot. Combined with stretching it's gotten much better.

Hey Steve thank you for backpod im about to purchase one. I think I have costocondritis when i woke up in the middle of night with stabbing chest pain. I never experienced anything like this. Im only 25 years old, lean and healthy. Now i have chest pain for about a week and its not getting any better. The only thing I did was weightlift the day before but it was my normal weightlifting routine nothing too heavy and i have good form. I do think i have poor posture because im a web developer. Could this just be my poor posture catching up to me? Is it possible to gradually develop costo? Thank you.

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Hi. First step with chest pain - always go to your doctor or ED. They are really good at checking out your heart, lungs and the other dire possibilities. If they've done that and you're all clear, then sure, costo is the likeliest answer. Yes, you can develop costo gradually. It's really common - a quiet tightening of the rib cage as your thoracic spine gets hunched and tight - hugely common with web developers or anyone working over computers. See this page on the iHunch: www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ Then, when the rib cage is tight enough, you do something which strains it, especially dips or bench press. The rib joints round the back can't give to take that strain, so it all goes to the more delicate rib joints on your breastbone. They give - a lot like spraining your ankle. And welcome to costo. It's NOT a "mysterious inflammation". Straightforward physio (PT)-type problem. See this long wordy PDF for what we find works best to fix it: www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/Costo-treatment-plan-incl-Costo-and-iHunch-PDFs-19-July-2022.pdf Good luck with the work.

@4will3

Жыл бұрын

@@stevenzphysio4203 Hey steve thanks for responding. When using the backpod and all other stretches you prescribe should I still go do weightlifting if that pain in the chest still occurs or take a long break.

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

@@4will3 Hi. I've covered that in Sections (1) and (10) of that PDF.

@4will3

Жыл бұрын

@@stevenzphysio4203 Thank you Steve. How does sleeping position affect this condition?

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

@@4will3 Hi. Pain on lying down to sleep) is another classic costo symptom. You're lying on your rib cage, and the rib joints around the back can't move, so the already strained rib joints on your front strain further. It's like taking a sprained ankle and bending it further into the sprain. It'll get sore and usually wake you up. The best sleeping position (apart from sitting up) is probably on your back, which at least spreads the load over both sides of your rib cage, so you get less strain at the front joints on any one side. But it's only a help and often not even that. The only way I know to fix costo pain on sleeping is to fix the costo.

Hi Steve my name is Idrees, I have had what seems to be costochondritis for a little over a month now, which started off as a sharp pain when I took a breath for about 2-3 days. Eventually right before I went to the hospital, I was anxious about what it was and unsure if it was heart related, so I started experiencing extreme shivering and severe chest pain. When I went to the hospital, all the scans and ultrasounds were clear, and they told me my heart was healthy. They gave me muscle relaxer, which seemed to help, although it may have just been that I hadn’t been to sleep in 36 hours at that point, and I was exhausted. When I got home, I began to realize that completely relaxing all the muscles in my body, almost going limp, helped my pain while breathing as well as my tightness, similar to what I did in the hospital. I read about the backpod and ordered it after having no relief with a 5 million ball. I have been using for a week and a half now, and a week in, I started feeling better with less tightness in my chest and pain. However, a couple days ago, I started getting tight again, and feeling anxious about it as well. Im 18 years old, and I play basketball but I’m not flexible at all, and I was wondering if that might be a reason for my frozen joints. 1) Is it possible that I just sort or relapsed and it needs more time And also 2) I have never had any problems with anxiety or panic, but i feel like the anxiety I do have is brought on by the costochondritis. I don’t tell the doctors because I don’t want them to merely leave it up to anxiety when I know there is a cause. Is it common for these two to be hand in hand (costs and anxiety)? Thank you, Steve

@stevenzphysio4203

4 жыл бұрын

Hi. Anxiety with costo is very common. It is completely sane and reasonable to be concerned about a mysterious debilitating chest pain which the docs (usually) clearly do not understand or know how to fix. You get a double hit with costo, because the immobile rib hinges mean you can't take a full breath of air into your lungs. So you breath high and fast, and this hyperventilation pushes you towards panic attacks, and certainly anxiety. Stick with the Backpod - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. Not until you're safe to do so with COVID-19 around, though. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then you’d better do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Also, of course, the costochondritis page. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

So yes, the Backpod works 👍 Had costocondritis for a year - clicking sternum, sore breastbone, rhomboids stiff, headaches, neckache. My GP said it's "idiopathic inflammation" - e.g. they won't bother investigating it. My excellent osteopath unlocks my mid-thoracic and cracks my spine free every so often. The cause is my bad posture - graphic designer for 30 years with long stints every day staring intently at Photoshop. The Backpod works well for me - if I remember to use it. It's getting that routine to use it daily as it won't fix me from inside its box....

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Great - well done. It's an ideal combination - osteopathic manipulation to definitively unlock any tight rib and spinal joints around the back, then Backpod to stretch out the tightened collagen material around them so they can stay free. Your GP is wrong on both counts. "Idiopathic" means the cause is unknown. No it's not - we've known the cause of costo in manual physio in New Zealand for at least the 30 years I've worked in this area. I just never occurred to me that most of the rest of the world didn't understand it the same way. Also, it's not an inflammation - that's why treating it with anti-inflammatory meds doesn't fix it. There is only one piece of published medical research on this (Disla et al) and it shows no difference in inflammation levels in the blood between a costo group and a control group. Well done on thinking for yourself. You could try adding these bits to get even more stretch out of the Backpod: When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However do it safely with COVID-19 around. At a minimum, you should both wear masks and hand sanitise. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. Get them to go hard down between your shoulder blades.

I think this could have been a little more specific - to say between the shoulder blades may sound like “on the spine to some people” and that is definitely not what they should be doing. Maybe add an upright view of the back and demonstrate with your hands or hands holding the backpod the proper placement. Appreciate the product!

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

Hello, Teresa. Fair enough - we did this video at the start of getting the Backpod out there, and didn't at the time realise what a big thing it was going to become. Trying to find time to do a really detailed how-to-use video, including shots from beneath a transparent table. There are good written instructions in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod.

@rhondadare8092

2 жыл бұрын

I actually just received my back pod. How is it supposed to be between the shoulders but not on the spine? When I used it for the first time, it definitely was on my spine.

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

There are really clear detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod on pages 3-5 of the Backpod's 31-page user guide. These are the best instructions on how to use it correctly. When we find the time, we will do another KZread video showing how to use it, including views from underneath a glass table.

@rhondadare8092

2 жыл бұрын

I wasn’t confused until I saw Teresa’s initial comment saying that the pod shouldn’t be on your spine, which is what my comment was addressing. I read the instructions and had no problems. I’m just saying that the pod was on my spine, while Teresa’s comment said that it shouldn’t be.

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

@@rhondadare8092 Hi Rhonda. Yes, I know - sorry. I misunderstood your reply. I do get a lot of questions about how to use the Backpod. I really don't understand why a lot of people - most usually young US males - don't just quietly read through the instructions. But then again the full 31-page user guide isn't in all Backpods sold in the EU and UK, so i try to answer those in more detail when I can.. Anyway, well done on thinking for yourself, deciding I might know what i’m talking about, and getting a Backpod. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Good luck with the work! Cheers, Steve August.

Today I got my backpod for costo i ll update soon my results

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Well done on thinking for yourself. Please DO follow the instructions accurately. It's tough stuff you're stretching and if you go too hard too soon, it'll protest. It takes time to stretch the tight stuff. Here's a long wordy PDF on what costochondritis actually is and what we find works best to fix it. It is more easily read on a computer, not a phone. The PDF covers using the Backpod for costo, and also the other bits that often need dealing to as well. Cheeringly, these can nearly all be done by yourself at home. It takes a bit of time and effort, but it's not that difficult. Good luck with the work! www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/Costo-treatment-plan-incl-Costo-and-iHunch-PDFs-19-July-2022.pdf

@KurdishZyzz

10 ай бұрын

Did it help?

I just ordered this!

Hi Steve from someone that has tried everything know to man this is the best Nearly give up on it but so glad I didn’t can you just confirm it can take some people a lot longer to get the benefit of this amazing invention it took me 12 weeks to get down to one pillow all the best Drew

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Drew. Well done. It can take that long - depends how tight you are to start with. Well done on sticking with it. We definitely get some people - usually young US males - who expect instant results and give up after only a few days, so never get them. Keep going. When you can lie on the Backpod with no pillow under your head and feel just a satisfying stretch, then the rib and spinal joints are moving pretty well - like they used to. You're not there yet but it's coming. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However NOT until it’s safe with COVID-19. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then you’d better do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

@drewcrawford447

3 жыл бұрын

Steve NZ Physio Hi Steve thanks for the amazing reply i will digest your advice and keep going there will be free lodgings and I nice malt Whisky if you come to the Pinehurst Lodge Hotel in Aberdeen best wishes and many thanks Drew

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

@@drewcrawford447 Thanks, Drew. I have fond memories of sitting on the roof of a Youth Hostel in Aberdeen in the '70s hoping to see the Northern Lights. Will take you up on that if I get there again. Cheers, Steve August.

Can i sleep on this? 😂

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

Actually I did have an email from one costochondritis sufferer who fell asleep on the Backpod for hours. She reckoned it fixed her. It would be equivalent to holding a stretch on a tight hamstring muscle for hours - it would be a serious stretch on the tissues. So, it sounds an attractive idea. But if you're too tight when you start, though, it'll likely just strain things. You can only stretch tight stuff so much. That's why the Backpod instructions say start quietly, once a day to start with, don't make it too sore. It'll usually take a few weeks of daily stretches for the tight ribs and spine to free up mostly. You can't really overstretch on the Backpod - the floor stops you.

I Received mine today 24.05.23, I‘ll come back to tell you if it works :) I have Costochondritis for 2 years. I went to many Doctors and even told them that I think it’s Costochondritis. None of them knew what I have and never heard about it, beside the last Dr I met one week ago, which agreed with me that it seems that I have it. He suggested physiotherapist, which I will start soon, but I want to see how the BACKPOD influence my pain.

@zeptwo1205

Жыл бұрын

let me know please i’ve had costo for 6 months

@gotemcoach2346

Жыл бұрын

Let me know please, I also have costochondritis now for past 8 months and I'm thinking about buying a back pod

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Hi. It's not just the Backpod alone, often. Here's a long wordy PDF on what costochondritis actually is and what we find works best to fix it. It is more easily read on a computer, not a phone. The PDF covers using the Backpod for costo, and also the other bits that often need dealing to as well. Cheeringly, these can nearly all be done by yourself at home. It takes a bit of time and effort, but it's not that difficult. Good luck with the work! www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/Costo-treatment-plan-incl-Costo-and-iHunch-PDFs-19-July-2022.pdf

@KurdishZyzz

10 ай бұрын

Did it help?

I just ordered mine I've been dealing with minor costo for about 3 weeks now it has been getting better on its own significantly but I ordered the back pod so I can use it as a preventative measure for the future.

@stevenzphysio4203

4 жыл бұрын

Good thinking. So nice to hear of someone who got onto it fast, instead of having the problem for years. It'll most probably be happening because you're spending much time over laptops, tablets and smartphones - we call it the iHunch. There are other things which cause the tight rib machinery around the back but that's the commonest reason these days. So the Backpod gives you the tool to stretch those rib cage and spinal joints free, and keep them free, which essentially solves the problem. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August.

Hello Steve, first of all, thank you. I found my way here through trying to research different modes of self-adjustment, and when looking up how to move the front ribs, Bob and Brad mentioned you by name so I found your lovely podcast and then your overview of the data on Costochondritis. It was on sale at Amazon, and freakishly they delivered my backpod within a few hours of me ordering it there, probably since I'm near a major city. I have some data from my first 4 days (and that of my girlfriend) that may be of interest to others. Background: Concert pianist, career on hold for years due to back, chest and arm pain. Other careers include soldering microchips, video game testing, gardening, all things involving hunching the thoracic spine. SLeeping in a bed and laying flat was too painful for me, and so I have been sleeping on the couch for months, as that felt like a more natural position that let my muscles relax. Waking from bed no matter my sleeping position or amount of support left me in lots of pain for the first hour of each day; usually too much pain to do many stretches. Posture correction did not work, posture exercises helped for some things, particularly strengthening of the lower back (different modes of planks and such). 2x weekly manipulations from a therapist worked to an extent but the problem was not solved. I could not tolerate massage; too painful. If I look at the thumbnails from my youtube vids, I can immediately now see my iHunch. Notable incident: a couple of years ago I was laying in bed propped on my elbow, when one of my right front ribs suddenly jutted forward out of the joint. When I went to my chiro, he did a pretty strong CPR shove to put it back in and it made an unnervingly loud grinding noise. He said he hasn't seen that except in car accidents or in a case of someone being hit in the back by a baseball bat. My current opinion now is that this was indicative of the severity of my thoracic lockup. Girlfriend: Works in adult industry, also a live streamer and gamer, seemed to have the same problems as me but less advanced. My usage data: Day 1: Read 10 pages of booklet and jumped in, hopes high. Not pretending to be macho, I did 3 pillows. Centering the pod on the spine was very uncomfortable, bruised feeling for a day or two. Off to the side was better and I stayed on the thing wiggling around for over 30 minutes, alternating sides and height. I did not only raise my arms above my head into the recommended position, but tried many types of arm motions, up and down. Right thumb went numb, and the index and middle fingers to a lesser extent, during use. I applied ice packs immediately and at a few other times through the day. It felt very different than anything I'd done before; the pain was a bit acute but began to notice right away that I had more stamina for piano practice and cooking. I could not do more than 10 minutes of either before without stopping my activity to rest. I sat down at the piano and an hour had gone by; no screaming back or headache. I also noticed that the nagging tightness in my hip seemed to have released, but also my right leg became quite 'weak', similar to the feeling of a kinesiologist doing a muscle test and finding an easy collapse. I took a step down off a curb and my right leg gave out, not in pain, but with this feeling of 'muscle test weakness'. I took it easy and all was good. My assessment of day 1 is that I have a very advanced case and the pain was a result of the severity of the problem. I was very very excited that I could play more piano. Day 2: Bruised feeling continued, but did some stretches and used the pod off to the sides. More deep motion feelings, and my trigger points were unable to 'run away' from me (like they do with my trusty lacrosse ball) and some released! I did about 15 minutes this day. More piano stamina than the day before, one longer 2.5 hour session and pain did not make me quit playing in the end. Day 3: Still could not center the pod on the spine even with towel on the floor, but used at a 45 degree angle on the couch with some success. I began to feel as though a manipulation would really help me, as I developed some headache and shooting arm pains through the day. I kept returning to the pod on the couch since that was the only thing that made me feel better. Day 4: Went for a manipulation and took the pod for my physio to see. He immediately started playing with it and using it hilariously wrong, so I left the book with him and told him not to use it where there weren't ribs, and also that I wanted any thoughts he had after reading the book and watching your videos which I emailed him. He was intrigued and remarked about its aggressiveness; he's going to get one to try. Today's manipulation was *highly* successful. Neck and mid-back manipulations that caused brief acute pain did not today, rather my joints moved much more freely and with a 'clunky' feeling. He remarked about this also. I was able to get off the table using only my abdominal muscles for the first time, rather than having to roll off to the side. I still had a rough amount of shoulder pain and knots upon returning home which was frustrating (because we all want a manipulation to fix the world), but on returning home I iced everything and then got on my back pod. I was very surprised at how centering the pod on the spine did NOT hurt today, in fact, I went down to one pillow. I spent about 30 minutes with the pod and gosh the relief was good this time. Lots of deep 'unlocking' feelings in the thoracic, and again was able to get off the floor without pain! I have scheduled an ultrasound for tomorrow to test that out on my shoulder. Right thumb still goes numb (thumbness?) with arms over head, and pulling feeling in biceps, but it was much improved. I have to say, things are really looking up and I'm starting to have hopes of being able to practice piano regularly enough to be the pianist I want to be. Girlfriend: Day 1: Centering on the spine was less difficult for her, and provided the same subtle relief for daily activities and work. She remarked multiple times through the day that at points where she usually expects tension and pain, she was surprised that she did not get it. Through the day, she began to get increased soreness 'in the diaphragm', which felt like a deep muscular pain. I postulated that if ribs were slightly freer, this might make sense. She quit work eventually and went to bed with a big ice pack across her abdomen. This diaphragmatic discomfort did not persist after one night of sleep. Day 2 and 3: She is on two pillows and with continued reports of increased work stamina and much less pain. Day 4: She got a manipulation same time as me, and she said it was her 'most successful adjustment ever', she said she felt like everything moved and experienced tremendous relief that persists to the present moment. So, I think the rest of this is probably going to be by-the-book. The therapy started off painful, but I embraced it and went as far as I could anyway. Again, I really think the pain indicates the severity of my problem; when I watch the model demonstrate in the video, I am absolutely astounded by her thoracic mobility. I've never had anything of the kind, in fact just 'being straight' felt unnatural. The strangest thing I'm currently experiencing is, my right hand seems to be much more responsive at the piano to my intentions. Maybe this is nerves starting to communicate better with less compression. Thank you Steve, very much. Hope these anecdotes can add to some data pool. I will be putting some 'non-slip' stickers on the back of the pod, so that I can use it against the wall.

@stevenzphysio4203

10 ай бұрын

Hello! That's great - really enjoyed your gripping day-to-day report; thank you. I can get a bit caught up in the technicalities - it's a good reminder to me of what it's like from the viewpoint of a patient. That all makes complete sense, and you're on the way. You're doing everything correct, and - Hallelujah! - you have a chiro who listens and isn't automatically opposed to the Backpod which they see as competition to their attentions. (Which it is - but it's a complement, not in opposition. It's an ideal combination with good, effective manipulation - manips to unlock any really frozen joints, and the Backpod to stretch the tightened collagen around them so they can stay free. I have had hate mail from a few US chiros - idiots. I thought the important thing was what's best for the patient?) Good - you're on the way. You're stretching bits that haven't moved for years, so it's not instant. Don't get disheartened if the costo bites you yet - it takes time to free everything up. I'm not surprised you're worse than most people, given you're a concert pianist. It's the same inevitably hunched position as the iHunch over desktop computers not set up correctly, laptops, tablets and smartphones. I used to lecture on musicians' injuries. They're appallingly high, and piano figures high in them. (The worst is almost violin, which is flexed but also so asymmetrical. The only thing that beats it is viola, which is the same thing only heavier. The least problems are from percussion including drums, partly because those guys are partly animal anyway..) Re your bit of numbness down the arm - it can happen. What you’re telling me is that you’re really tight through the muscles where your nerves are running through your shoulder girdle and down your arm. These are getting stretched when you lie on the Backpod - which is a good thing. The tingling and numbness is just from the nerves being pulled on a bit as they stretch. It's a lot like sleeping funny on your arm and waking up with it numb and tingling for a bit. Talk your partner into doing the home sitting massage on you - shown in the Backpod's user guide and also as this video here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/a5mAt7ORYJavn6g.html Get her to go hard down between your shoulder blades. Do every few days for a few weeks. It's great that she's got problems too - you can do swaps on each other. Ideally, also, go and see a good massage therapist and get them to work all round the chest, shoulder girdle and the muscles down the arms. That’ll loosen the muscles the nerves are running through. As well, you can start stretching the nerves and muscles gently. Lie on your back on a table, knees bent up, with your left shoulder just off the edge of the table. Hold your palm upwards, then bend your hand and fingers back, then drop the straight arm gently down towards the floor (arm out at 90˚ to your body) until you feel a good stretch and even some tingling down the arm. That’s stretching it all. Hold for several seconds, then lift up the arm to take the stretch off, then do again, several times gently. It’s just a stretch. It’ll all disappear when things are loose enough. That you have the tingles/numbness at all does tell me you were pretty tight to begin with. It’ll stretch (and massage) out fine. Have a look through this long wordy PDF on what costochondritis actually is and what we find works best to fix it. It is more easily read on a computer, not a phone. Do see in Section (2) where there's a sitting twist exercise once the Backpod has loosened the joints sufficiently. That and a pec stretch should be your brief warm-up before playing the piano - ongoing. The PDF covers using the Backpod for costo, and also the other bits that often need dealing to as well. Cheeringly, these can nearly all be done by yourself at home. It takes a bit of time and effort, but it's not that difficult. Good luck with the work! www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/Costo-treatment-plan-incl-Costo-and-iHunch-PDFs-19-July-2022.pdf

@Contracrostics

10 ай бұрын

@@stevenzphysio4203 Thanks so much for your kind and extremely encouraging response, it really helps. Wow, that arm stretch was fantastic! It feels much better even after typing for a while since then. I'm so happy to hear that you also dealt with musician injuries; I find myself talking about self-care as much as music when teaching these days. In this regard, I have made a discovery that I want to tell you briefly about regarding ergonomics at the piano. I was studying the Chopin etudes, and trying to regard Chopin's promise that his first etude: "if practiced very slowly and for a long time allowing no tension, that it will expand the player's reach." I was puzzled, until one day I was sitting at the piano with my arms down and looking at the ceiling. I stood up with arms dropped at my sides, and bent my elbow. I noticed that the natural position of the thumb is pointing at the ceiling. I then turned my hand palm facing the floor, as is taught in current piano method, and consciously felt for the first time what happened in my shoulders when I did this. The weight suddenly settles there, and the elbows are trying to flare outward. I thought, 'odd', then stuck my hand on the piano that way. To my surprise, my reach *had* actually expanded, especially regarding the inner fingers, when my hand was at about a 35 degree angle (my index finger's knuckle being the highest point of the hand at that stage). I then realized what this first study of Chopin's was trying to get me to do, and have since discovered that these 24 studies are studies in ergonomics, and each one was written with a certain ergonomic idea in mind as its underlying theme, even below that of the music. If you've got a keyboard, see how many keys you can reach between the index and the pinky finger with the palm facing the floor. Then try the twist, you should instantly reach a fair amount farther, probably the distance of one more key. I was shocked at this, then decided to go watch small children and blind pianists play. Nearly everyone with immense natural talent or without eyesight does *not* put the palm parallel to the floor (i.e. in a way that is shunned at sight by the pianistic community). Then I thought "if I'm right, I should discover that angled computer mice exist." I did and immediately bought one. Then the same physio I mentioned before informed me that this is also the position a doctor will put someone's hand in for an x-ray if one is needed, because "This is the way the architecture of the hand makes the most sense." I realized that in this position, Loud and Soft playing, previously determined by weight applied vertically (where the shoulder is the fulcrum or, at best, a shock absorber), became a matter of a more 'screwdriver turning' motion, and there was suddenly much more dynamic control in my wheelhouse. This was a year ago and everything about how I play the piano has become freer by bearing this thing in mind. And much like the US docs, nobody yells at me more than the trained piano teachers for going on about it! It's funny what random little discovery can shatter 25 years of one's training. Thanks for the humor also, I laughed a few times during your message and while reading the pdf; this is also a great medicine. I'm not a deist, but bless you anyway.

@stevenzphysio4203

10 ай бұрын

@@Contracrostics Yes - really good thinking. There are the bits that the human body does well, having evolved and developed to be good at them. Then there are the exigencies of using various instruments to produce sound. Sure, there's often a mismatch. One is that when you roll your forearm palm down and flat to accommodate to a horizontal piano or computer keyboard, you're mostly using forearm muscles called the pronator teres to do so (a.k.a. pronation action). The median nerve runs between the two heads of these muscles, and can commonly be impinged by their action - like someone standing on a hose. So since you're wanting maximum control, speed and sensitivity of your hand and figures for playing - you don't want any limiting pressure on this nerve. What you've worked out is a way to not push quite so hard with this pronating muscle, therefore not putting as much compression on the nerve. Completely fits with the anatomy, and well done. That's the player and teacher answer. You can get computer keyboards humped to a ridge in the middle, so you don't have to pronate so much when using them. That's the device answer. No idea if anyone's ever done this for a piano keyboard. You can also just keep the forearm flexors and pronator teres free and flexible with stretches and occasional massage so the nerve and blood supply running through them aren't compressed. That's the physio answer. (Actually, that applies to your whole arm, shoulder and torso - that nerve stretch for the arm is an example.) I'm intrigued by musicians' injuries - I enjoyed lecturing on them. Also my children and grandchildren play piano, violin, viola, cello, flute, sax, double base, etc. - so there was always something to sort out personally. (One of Hannah's life goals is a grand.) I think - hit the problem from all directions, not just one. The better and more flexible you keep the machine, the more margin there is for styles. Musicians have an appalling high rate of injury. I'm a bit out of date now, but they were also treated appallingly badly, in my opinion. You have to see them as sports injuries, and musicians as elite athletes - in the muscle groups they're using. (I worked out that if you count the finger contractions in piano for The Trout, and apply that number to hamstring contractions when running, playing it is equivalent to three marathons back-to-back. I'm not sure that's completely accurate, but the general idea is.) Sure, you'll get problems. This is compounded by musicians knowing they're sedentary and not jocks, and feeling they have to practice to the max to get good, and that bloody Little Mermaid idea of ignoring the pain for your art or your love. It's not talent that stops most serious musicians but pain. It's further compounded by the pros not wanting to admit to problems, which may have real world consequences for their careers. Teachers focus on specific style - to the point of almost duelling over the way to hold bits of your body, as you know. (John Otto Cleese in The Life of Brian: "He IS the true messiah! And I should know - I've followed a few.") Nothing wrong with that, but as well - if you keep the machine well oiled with joint, muscle and nerve stretches, massage, some support strength, some cardiovascular fitness so your circulation is good to start with, then you can afford to be less completely rigid in style. You've got some leeway before getting sore. (Way less problems in those swoopy Eastern European violinists compared to the rigid, anal British types. I'm stereotyping shamelessly.) This is all bog standard New Zealand sports medicine and injury prevention. Hopefully it's changed, but when I was lecturing, the approach in the rest of the world was largely stop playing for six months, and then think about surgery. There was just zero sports medicine understanding applied to musicians. You'll know what's around now. I did once start a book on the care and maintenance of the violinist, in collaboration with the prof of music in my local university. There was certainly a need. But it got lost in the usual busy-ness of life.. (Pity. I may yet return to it. Violin is so completely nuttily asymmetrical and weird - it's a physio's delight. Piano is really easy - it's essentially the iHunch with some arm and nerve stretches.) Sorry - rambling on. It's an area I like, and I like musicians, and their problems are logical and readily solvable when seen through a sports injury lens, which certainly wasn't usually done. Good luck with the work on your own problem. Cheers.

@Contracrostics

10 ай бұрын

​@@stevenzphysio4203 Thanks so much again; I feel you've given me a ridiculous amount of your time but I'm very grateful for your replies as well. Your giving me the name of that muscle lead to some interesting research today. I feel a bit irresponsible for not looking up the nerve structure before, and I see now where that median nerve runs also to C6-C8 (and does some weird rejoining around the bicep?). I found different hand bending tests for the pronator teres to check it, and all returned negative so at least that area isn't strained. Lots of interesting reading about cervical radiculopathy as well, where the symptoms are more closely resembling what I've been experiencing. I think you're absolutely right about hitting the problem from as many angles as possible. It's been fascinating to hear your expertise on all of these things, and extremely eye-opening. We barked up quite a few trees before arriving at this point of examining mechanics, and with each new angle has come paradigm shifts. Some were important, like checking homocysteine levels and looking for candida (we are 15 and 16 Hcy respectively, been trying to lower them because of their relationship to inflammation), organic acids tests, lymph cleanses which did help the fascial trigger points quite a bit, red light therapy, sauna and sunlight, earthing, treating my high cadmium with binders, changing diet to organic with increased fiber, getting rid of household chemicals, doing genetic analyses and guiding diet around SNPs... And then lots of costly red herrings too. I've been looking for any information on whether the types of musculoskeletal issues we've had actually increases cytokines because of constantly re-injuring the tissue, but I haven't found much. Intuitively it seems like it should create a toxic load; do you know? Day 5: Felt 2 deep cracks in the right ribs (I think 2 and 3) on the 2nd session of the day, experienced intense relief. My girlfriend put her hand on my back and said it was suddenly much flatter and felt very different, not lumpy. I felt it and agreed. I tried bed sleeping because I did not want to be bent up on the couch after this and it did not trouble me like it had been. Day 6: Pretty sore from day 5 but down to 1 pillow now on the center position stretch, none for the side position and lifted hips for increased smash. Discovered I'm a different height at the piano, now I'm playing like a comedy routine, missing everything. Much experimenting with bench height and distance from the keys, I find I am lowering it and moving it closer, as it's easier to straighten my back. Very discombobulating and funny. Doing the palm up arm stretch no longer produces tingling. Focusing on the massages tomorrow because now soreness is out by the shoulders and traps, infraspinatus area is quite irritated. Day 6 part 2: At the piano, there was a point where I caught my chin dropping and raised my head quickly (more like tossed it back) and the front 2 or 3 sets of ribs all moved with it, it felt like a zipper unzipping. It was eerie to suddenly feel my throat open up. I ended practice and felt like trying my right side with the Pod after this to see what would happen. It seemed like everything I focused released this time; I got a major motion in the vicinity of C7. Then a major problem that's always around T8-T9 also let go, I got a cold sweat and a wave of intense nausea. Did shallow breathing on the couch for 15 minutes and it cleared up. Now I can honestly say my torso has never felt like this, it's almost like it's not there. I think the pain is, at least for the present moment, lower than any previous baseline. Feeling very happy, just enjoying the new feeling of breathing. If you do wind up with that book for string players eventually, I'd be first in line for a few copies. My late friend and mentor is an exemplar of the tragedy you're talking about with music professionals. He was the Cliburn winner in 1985, and the lifestyle eventually drove him to suicide some 10 years ago. That signaled my retreat because I saw it would be my road too. Having attended the Cliburn myself and seeing how everyone was popping Advil, Codones, Adderall and such by the dozen backstage just to make it through... when you win that cursed thing, you're given some 200 concerts to complete within a couple of years. In chamber rehearsals I did watch a lot of violinists and violists play through tons of pain, which I glazed over about at the time. Thanks so much for all your insights and assistance, you've been incredibly kind.

@stevenzphysio4203

10 ай бұрын

@@Contracrostics Sorry - I'm a little swamped. Still enjoying your daily progress. You're banging through the stages wonderfully quickly. Don't get disheartened if the costo bites you yet - you do expect to get various hiccups along the way as the whole unit steadily frees up and settle back into a new configuration. It is serious remodelling - back towards what you used to the like - and bits of it will protest along the way. Also - it does take time. You get most of the progress and unlocking in the first few or several weeks, but then it can take months or regular maintenance before it's all stretched out well enough to stay free. There are all sorts of rather neat ramifications. It's not just posture, and pain reduction, and non-restricted nerve flow, and all that implies on optimal muscle and nerve activity - control, speed and sensitivity. But freeing the rib cage means you get more air into your lungs, and that means more oxygen to your muscles - and your brain. It's a noticeable difference. Anyway - more power to your elbow. And other bits.

I had right side shoulder blade pain for months. Many massages and chiropractic visits only helped slightly. Took a chance on a BackPod from AMZ Prime, figuring I could always return it. Tried it last night for the first time. Omg! I don't know what sort of magic they sprinkle in these Pods at the factory, but today I have zero pain. ZERO!! I didn't even lay on it yet. I just pressed my back against it up against a wall, placing the Pod slightly right of center and pressed for about a minute until I felt something release while I was watching American Idol. I will never return this! P.S...yes, it was a little sore for a few hours, but it's been about 18 hours and soreness is gone now.

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Hi Rico. Well good - that's what we've been trying to tell people! Costo isn't that difficult to sort out if you do the right things for it. DO follow the instructions in the user guide. Start quietly (which you've done), accept it'll take some time, and don't be surprised if you get a bit of tenderness as things start to free up. Good luck!

Hi Steve. Thank you for your video. I have had pain in my chest wall for 18 yrs and pain on my right side for 10 years. I have been to a cardiologist, gastroenterologist, 2 neurologists, and had many scans and procedures. My most recent neurologist, after ruling out an entrapped nerve on my right side, suggested I might have costochondritis and/or slipping rib syndrome. My GP didn't know where to send me for shots for the pain and dropped the ball on my lap. I ran across your video and have been using the back pod daily for 10 minutes for 3 weeks. My right side is flaring up and the pain in my sternum is not better. Is this typical after potentially having these conditions for so many years? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Hi Steve, I've been using the backpod for around 2 weeks now and I go a few days where I feel like I am improving, ribs seem to be freeing up etc. then out of no where I'll have a day where my upper back becomes very painful and lying on the backpod causes intense spasms, like sharp pain in very focused areas of my back. The next day I will be very sore in my upper back but I continue to use the back pod twice a day, the pain usually subsides after a day or two. Previous to the backpod all my pain was in my chest, is this pain expected when freeing up of the ribs? Do I just continue using it as I am? I've been using it with 3 pillows but the first couple of days I had it I may have gotten over excited and removed the pillows during the stretch. - The backpod has been a fantastic so far, I no longer have carpal tunnel symptoms in my arms and on the days I'm not experiencing this back pain I feel almost 100% better plus my anxiety for the most part has completely gone. Thank you so much for your product and dedication to answering questions - my life has already been greatly improved after only 2 weeks.

Thank you

Hi Steve, I’ve been using it for 30 seconds in the middle of the spine (between shoulder blades) and 30 seconds in the right side (between shoulder blade and spine). I just started using it a week ago and I’ve been using it daily this way. Is this recommended? Is that enough time? My costo pain is right side

Hey just bought it today and got it in the mail, super excited! Going to do it tomorrow! Got on it tonight for just a few mins because I had to see lol my question is, is neck pain/tightness common when using this at first? Little bit of shoulder pain/discomfort as well? My costo is on the left side of my sternum so I only tried it on my left back between the spine and shoulder blade spot. Sorry once last question, should i ever turn it sideways? Or put use it directly on my spine? Thank you so much! I've heard nothing but fabulous things about this!

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Hi Kevin. That's good - read the instructions. They are accurate. They tell you how to use it correctly. When you start, start quietly. If you stretch anything too hard in one go - it'll hurt. Same with the Backpod - you're starting to stretch stuff that hasn't moved for months or years. It takes time, and you need to start slowly. Also, you'll probably need the other bits in the Backpod's little home programme, including the home massages. Just read them through and follow what they say. If by any chance you haven't got the full 32-page Backpod manual, it's as a PDF near the bottom of the pages on the Backpod's New Zealand website www.backpod.co.nz. Good luck with the work.

Hi Ahmed. That's great! I'm the physio inventor - we built the Backpod to be useful. All it does is provide enough leverage to actually stretch the tough, tight collagen around the thoracic spinal and rib joints so they free up. (Just manipulation will unlock them but not stretch the tight stuff around them, so it doesn't last.) Very pleased about the costochondritis. It's caused by frozen rib hinges around the back, which the Backpod has obviously freed up. You know, we didn't even build it for that, mostly. It's mainly for stretching out the usual tight, stooped upper back. But it's also, as far as I know, the only thing around that will give an effective stretch on rib hinges - hence its use in fixing costochondritis. Very pleased it's worked! More info on fixing costochondrits in two other videos: 'How to fix (most) costochondritis and Tietze's Syndrome' Parts (1) and (2). Links are: kzread.info/dash/bejne/p6p-xLN_dMjff84.html and kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html Cheers, Steve August.

@wizeguy0522

7 жыл бұрын

how to use for costo- please send video

@ManPursueExcellence

6 жыл бұрын

Steve NZ Physio Hello Sir, isn’t using foam roller parallel to and on the spine just as effective?

I never really comment on any KZread videos but I just had to say how grateful I am for the Backpod. At the start of this year, I had a goal to go to the gym as much as I could and try to get myself in to better shape. A month in to it, I had a debilitating injury where I was unable to breathe and my sternum/rib cage just felt like it was going to explode. I had a trip to the hospital where everything was deemed normal and was simply told to take ibuprofen because they suspected it was a pulled muscle. Being very athletic, I knew that this was not the case. After countless weeks of stress, I had finally discovered that I could have costochondritis and stumbled across this video. I immediately placed an order and I am so thankful that I did. What was an extremely horrible injury has now turned in to something that has almost disappeared. I stupidly went a week without using the Backpod and my sternum and rib cage soon became inflamed but now it has almost gone for good. Being 18, the idea of not being able to breathe and live my normal, healthy life was extremely scary. I was diagnosed with asthma? due to the shortness of breath but that is definitely due to the costochondritis. I cannot thank you enough for the information and product that you have created because I am almost fully recovered. For anybody who is unsure, please purchase the Backpod and use it consistently, it is worth it but do go to the doctors to receive a medical examination to rule out any possible underlying health conditions. Thank you Steve once again, my life is starting to get back on track!

@stevenzphysio4203

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Holly. Thank you very much indeed. Well done on thinking for yourself and I'm delighted it's worked. I lecture on costochondritis to various medical conferences and EDs in New Zealand - we're just a bit flabbergasted at how much it's not understood or fixed in most of the rest of the world. You've pretty much done it yourself anyway, but try these bits to get the last of it clear. Also, avoid dips in the gym for at least six months - they're the single worst exercise for triggering costo. Now that presumably you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However NOT until it’s safe with COVID-19. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then you’d better do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the last bit of work, and well done!. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

@piteptown720

3 жыл бұрын

how are you doing how is your costo doing?

@hollypxrter

3 жыл бұрын

Pedro - A lot better now! I rarely have any flare ups so I’m starting to feel ‘back to normal’ again. Thank you

@hollypxrter

3 жыл бұрын

Steve NZ Physio Thank you so much! I have booked a massage for the end of this month to see how that goes and I’ve been doing the stretches as requested. I’ve noticed a huge difference and I can’t thank you enough. Stay safe and I hope you’re well.

Hi Steve, is it required to deep breath onto the backpod, I find that when I deep breath it causes me cervical issues

Hello Steve, I would like to thank you for all these precious insights. I've been using the back pod for 2 months now and for the past month, I have been using it without a pillow. I don't have any breathing problems anymore except when I sit for a few hours. Still a little pain that keeps alternating from the left pec to the right pec. I think I have a problem with the back pod: I can't get my shoulders to touch the floor like the patient in this video did, what can I do? I think it is due to a lack of mobility in the pectoral and shoulder muscles. But today I pushed a little more and my shoulders were able to touch the ground like in the video. Do I continue to force a bit like today so that my shoulders touch the ground? Honestly, after doing this, it's like something is unlocked, I feel better now, freer it seems. Am I going in the right direction? Thank you for your answer.

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Hello, Calvin. Sounds like you're going well. I don't know how tight (and probably also hunched) you were before starting with the Backpod. But sounds like the tight joints are freeing up fine. Keep going. I'm assuming you've got the 32-page user guide that should come with the Backpod. If not, there's a PDF of it here: www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf Do note that the instructions tell you how to get more oomph out of the Backpod, once you're good enough. I'd add in those bits now. As well, start stretching your pecs, and talk someone into doing the two massages shown in the Backpod's user guide. Ideally, shout yourself a full sports massage or two as well. It's all to get the muscles and joints around your rib cage and middle back freed and loosened up - back to what they used to be when you were younger. Well done. Keep going.

Hi Steve, thank you so much for all your videos, as the vast amount of comments suggest the back pod is extremely effective. I have only used it now for 4 days and only on a chair as I tried it on the floor with three pillows and I felt it would flare up my chest a little too much at that time. The top of my back where my thoracic spine meets my cervical spine (no expert but around t2/t3) seems to be my problem area however going up that far when the instructions clearly state not to go higher than the shoulders is a little bit of a grey area. When I’m seated with my arms down about an inch of the back pod is poking out above my shoulders but I feel as though it has to to reach that part of my back. How high up is too high? The curve of the backpod is below my shoulders however the very top part is not if that makes sense :), again thanks so much you did an incredible job with this and I think the vast amount of success tells the story for itself. Lifesaving stuff!!

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Hi. Well done on thinking for yourself, deciding I might know what I’m talking about, and getting a Backpod. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. All I mean about not going higher with the Backpod than your shoulders is not to use it on your neck. Your thoracic spine (upper and middle back) curves forward, and very often way too much. So the Backpod is ideal to stretch it back to the mild forward curve it should have. You neck curves backwards, so if you use the Backpod on it, you'll increase that curve, which is not what it needs. Have a look at an anatomical skeleton image on Google Image and you'll see. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However do it safely with COVID-19 around. At a minimum, you should both wear masks and hand sanitise. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. Get them to go hard down between your shoulder blades. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

Hey Steve I believe one of my false ribs slipped on my left side particularly the 10th rib i think. I’ve been having pain for over 7months It just gets Worse especially when i stopped Working Out Because i Found i had a bulging disc. I get pain both in the front and a lot in the back of my ribs would The BackPod Still work for my slipped rib ? Also Why Everytime I Flex my Left Lat I feel 3-4 Clicks everytime I do it in my Lat/shoulder blade Area should I be worried.

Hi Steve, First off, thank you so much for taking the time to answer all our questions here. I got the Backpod a few days ago and have been using it with pillows but still feel a sharp pinching/pain in my shoulders and upper arms when I try to put my arms behind my head as instructed so for now I just keep them mostly by my side. I do not have Osto but bought this for poor posture which I think is responsible for my Dowagers and shoulder pain. Am I correct to assume that addressing poor posture problems by using this will also help with my Dowagers in the long run? What else should I add/focus on? Thanks!

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Hi Sakina. Sounds like you're pretty tight, so it will take some time for the frozen rib and spinal machinery to stretch out. Usually it takes about three weeks for the joints to stretch free mostly, but this definitely varies and can take much longer. Yes, there are other bits you'll need addressed. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Sounds like you have, but do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. Sure, just start from where you can start - you'll need pillow(s) under your head, and keep your arms to your sides for a week or so. It'll all get easier as it gets freer. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've been tight and hunched for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However do it safely with COVID-19 around. At a minimum, you should both wear masks and hand sanitise. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. Get them to go hard down between your shoulder blades. You’re very probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html You can start into this straight away - it'll make putting your arms behind your head much easier. I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for a Dowagers' hump is from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. Lots of other things cause it also, though. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

hi steve! i have been struggling to move because of the severe pain/tightness/swelling, and trying to get in to a rheumatologist (4 month wait) as well as trying to decide who to go to regarding physical therapy/chiropractic/massaging for costo, considering i live in the states and have to pretty much educate my doctors on what costo even is. not diagnosed, but i have ruled out heart/lung problems and have all symptoms of tietze syndrome- it has been debilitating. the swelling is constant. I first got it after covid (6 months ago), continued coughing & immobility brought it on then, although i used to bind and had horrible ihunch/posture issues for years beforehand. your videos on the locking joints causing the inflammation has given me a new hope that there is an identifiable cause & treatment, when all doctors wanted to do is throw nsaids at me (even after an ulcer). i am going to purchase the backpod and start on some costo-specific stretches. it seems the tightness and swelling (aside from being on the left side of &below my sternum) is going from the center of my chest all the way to my shoulder, right beneath the collarbone, and messing up mobility issues as well as putting pressure near where my armpit meets my pec. the pec is very tight and i can feel the swollen first couple of ribs underneath it, pushing on the muscle and popping. this is also beginning to cause nerve issues in the affected side's arm, im assuming due to the pressure and tightness right near my armpit. just wondering if this was common with costo and if there are any stretches you recommend specifically for loosening the affected side's shoulder and pec muscles/ribs? also, would you recommend at least one chiropractic adjustment (or even rolfing session) if i believe my issues are being caused by more than the joints at my back freezing, but also general misalignments throughout my body? and should I rule out/treat a potential slipped rib before using the backpod? any and all advice welcome, thank you so much

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

Sounds bad but not difficult. You're very tight in your rib cage (after the binding) and tight and hunched in your thoracic spine (binding and the iHunch). So the jolt from every time you coughed with Covid hit just the more delicate rib joints on your breastbone, spraining them. And welcome to costochondritis. No, of course it's not a "mysterious inflammation" happening for no reason. And no, of course it can't be fixed just with medications - it's not that sort of a problem. It's bad enough that you're getting the swelling at the rib joints - just like a sprained ankle would swell up. Here's what you do: (1) Get a Backpod. There is no point in messing around - you'll need to to stretch free the frozen rib and spinal machinery around your back. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. (2) Shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two or more, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However do it safely with COVID-19 around. At a minimum, you should both wear masks and hand sanitise. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. Get them to go hard down between your shoulder blades. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html (3) I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. (4) You'll need this specific bit as well. What you can get with costo and especially Tietze’s Syndrome is swelling where the ribs join onto your breastbone. (Tietze's is just costo with enough swelling of the joints where the ribs join onto your breastbone to be noticeable.) All it is is intracellular fluid - the same sort of fresh fluid swelling that happens if you sprain your ankle. As with a sprained ankle, after a week the fluid swelling sets hard. This is just the normal inflammatory response of strained joints - there’s no auto-immune component. It’s a normal repair process, with fibrin in the fluid acting as a slow setting glue to hold everything together while the torn fibres and cells are repairing. With costo and Tietze’s, the irritation and strain can continue for months or years, so you can get a rock-like build-up of this stuff, often with a bit of fresh swelling on top. It’s a bit like running with tight boots causing a blister and NEVER STOPPING for years. As long as the rib hinges round the back can’t move, then the rib joints on your breastbone HAVE to keep straining - every breath you take. So you often get some hardened swelling there where the ribs join onto the breastbone. This doesn’t just interfere with the normal free glide of the rib hinges, it also binds down the free nerve endings and receptors, tethering them and making them hypersensitive. If you’ve had thoracic surgery, especially a spinal split, you’ll have surgical scarring tying things down even more. Break it down. This is like working hard putty or play dough or cold pastry dough until it becomes malleable. You can do this yourself. Use something to let your fingers slide. Massage wax is better than oil - oil dribbles. Massage wax is best for the massage itself, but ideally afterwards work in something that will also reduce the irritation of working these sensitive bits around, like Voltaren (diclofenac) anti-inflammatory gel or CBD cream like Penetrex or BioFreeze (usually available on Amazon). You won’t weaken the scarring round the joints or any surgical scar, just make it flexible and not pulling on the nerves. Spend about 10-15 minutes every three or four days working your fingers through the hardened bits in all directions. Start gently - it’ll get easier as you continue. It will be tender and probably sore - it gets easier as it frees up. The first time is the worst. Just do what it feels like it can handle, and expect to feel it tender, especially to touch, afterwards. It takes time - probably a few or several weeks. But it’s easy enough to do. It’s the main answer to this specific bit of the problem. But just done on its own it’ll keep coming back, unless you sort out the tight ribs round the back driving it - which you're doing. (5) Don't rush to chiros or PTs. I'm a physio myself. The good ones are good, but I just hear so many stories of ones that weren't, and that actually made it worse - especially the US chiros. Add them in if needed after at least several weeks - you'll need that long to do much of the bits you need to do. Good luck with the work. Keep going. The only way out is through. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

@areguapiri

7 ай бұрын

Cvd19...lol......Cvd19...lol...😅

Hi Steve! Is it normal for my back to get sore while using this? Sometimes when it’s sore my costo flares up. I might be pushing myself a little hard on it but I’ve been suffering from costo for quite awhile so it’s hard not too. Also you believe a change in your diet helps? And do you have any suggestions to deal with anxiety/stress? I used to deal with this from lifting but now I feel like I get extremely aggravated easily causing my inflammation to worsen. Are you able to exercise at all with costo?

Hi Steve, for context i have been dealing with costo for some years so i'm wondering if i should do combine the backpod with some exercises or something. I've streching with the backpod with 3 pillows and a towel for around two weeks now and one day i experience a little to any pain at all while like today it hurts me so much while doing it. The point it's that i cant progress to doing it with two pillows. Should i combine the backpod with any exercises or streches or something. And the last thing, i have been trying to get my posture correct and i notice that when i get my shoulders back where It should been my chest pain gets worse. Should I still force my posture where It should be or It is too soon to do that? Thanks in advance and sorry for my english.

Hi Steve, should I start the straightening program (as listed in the guide) at the same time I start using the back pod? Or should I use the back pod for three weeks before starting the straightening program. Thanks in advance!

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

Hello. Good question. You can start it all together, including the home massages too - hope you can organise those as well. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Cheers, Steve August.

Hi there! I’ve just tried your backpod and I can already feel instant relief! I want to get back into exercise again but am I right in thinking I have to wait for the tightness to completely fade before I give this a go? :)

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Pretty much. You have to free off the tight ribs round the back first. If you try and get back into exercise while those are still tight, then the already strained rib joints on your breastbone will just strain more.

Not sure where to put it. When you say between shoulder blades is it on spine? Or muse between spine and shoulder blade, just on one side? Thanks

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

Just read the instructions.

Hi, is this good for costochondritus that is mainly affecting the lower ribs? Can costochondritus pain also spread and feel like stomach pain right by the rib?

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Hi. Yes. When the rib joints round the back can't move, then the rib joints on your sternum MUST move excessively just to let you breathe. That's what costo is - it's NOT a "mysterious inflammation" arriving for no reason. If it's the lower ribs round the back that can't move, then you'll get lower rib cage pain. Same answer - free up the tight rib machinery round the back so the strain stops happening at the front. If it's the very lowest ribs, then you can feel some stomach pain as well. All the same, you should see your doctor in case there's a specific problem in your stomach area that isn't to do with the costo. I do often find that people with very low costo pain are usually very tight and strained in their abdominal muscles as well, so that can tie in with your stomach symptoms.

Hi Steve, I've been using the Backpod for 4 weeks now and this past week it did start to feel better although I will still get times in the day when it hurts more and the clicking and crunching in my sternum comes back. I've been using it without any Pillows for about 2 weeks and it feels like a comfortable stretch. i was just wondering how long should it take before its completely gone? Many thanks Dan

@stevenzphysio4203

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Dan. It depends a lot on how long you've had your costo or Tietze's for. However long that is, for all that time the rib joints on your sternum have been straining and giving - like running on a sprained ankle - every breath you take. So that's a lot of straining at those joints, and they don't instantly bounce back from that. You're doing the right thing, and it's obviously better than it was, as the Backpod frees up the tight rib and spinal joints round the back driving the pain on your front. Stick with it. Now you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. As well, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html Hang in there. The crunching will be the last thing to go - usually months after the pain has gone. It takes that long for the rib joints on your breastbone to settle back into well-oiled silent running, which they can do once the tight rib machinery round the back has fully freed up. Cheers, Steve August.

i dont see where you have a video telling us to rotate arms up and down as you lay on the backpod? I came across a bob and brad phsyical therapy video of them saying you emailed them about adding over head rotation of the arms and back down as you lay on it? is that true?

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Deen. Bob and Brad are great. I'm still learning - partly from feedback from lots of people worldwide using the Backpod - and tweaking how to get the best out of it. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Cheers, Steve August.

Can I use this more than once a day, and also do you recommend using it before a workout or after a workout? Just bought my back pod this week!

@stevenzphysio4203

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Raymond. Best to use the Backpod only once a day for the first week or so. It's just that things can be pretty tight, and if you go too enthusiastically they're likely to stir up a bit - like running 10 miles on your first run for a year. After that, sure - push it. When you don't need a pillow under your head on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and stay on them 1-3 minutes. Sure, use it before a workout as part of your warm-up. It's like freeing the hinges a bit more, before you load them. Cheers, Steve August.

Been suffering from chronic costochondritis now for almost 4 years. I have lot of hopes that this would help manage the pain. Would keep you updated.

@topdnbass

3 ай бұрын

let us know I also have suffered with costo for 4 years and just ordered the backpod

@manavharma7269

Ай бұрын

It works I got costo from punch I can use it please tell me​@@topdnbass

Hi Steve, I'm looking to buy the backpod , is it likely that it'll help the breast pain I have from my Costo or is it more directed at your sternum? Love the videos, found them really informative!

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Hello, David. The lack of movement at the rib machinery around your back can cause pain at the joints where your ribs hinge onto the side of your sternum, and also between those ribs where the muscles are strained and scarred as well. So freeing up the frozen joints around the back takes the strain off all those structures around the front. It's the irreducible core of fixing costo.

Whenever it’s time to change position and I lift up my head & neck to do so, I end up with an awfully painful, sore neck at the back of it and the sides, the following day. Any suggestions please Steve? I’m currently using one pillow. It’s also difficult to hold my arms up under my head whilst on the Backpod. (bursitis in left shoulder) I tend to keep my arms down by my sides. Is this ok? Am currently seeing a Gonstead Chiropractor to have those tight rib hinges in the back, loosened up. He said that the pod should be used all the way down the spine &.not just between shoulder blades, or things could be ‘put out’ with the spine if I didn’t? Years of chronic accumulated damage due to lifting, transferring & carrying my disabled son with CP. Thank you.

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Amanda. Just make sure you're holding your chin in a bit when you're on, or changing position on, the Backpod. It's in the instructions. That keeps the neck in a neutral position. If you let the chin poke out and the neck arch, then you're compressing all the vertebrae in the neck. You're probably already quite a bit like that anyway; I've seen it before with patients who lift disabled children. It seems sort of natural to poke your chin out as you tense to do the lift, but it does compress the neck vertebrae lots. Do all the exercises in the Backpod's 32-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. The neck strengthening exercise, posture control and the two home massages are exactly what you need. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod's website - link is www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ Get whoever's doing the massages to work round the sides of your neck a bit as well as along the back of your neck, and go hard down between your shoulder blades. Say hi to the Gonstead chiro from me - those guys are usually good. Mm - I think he may just mean you should be using the Backpod all up and down your thoracic spine, as well as up and down out to the sides of the spine as well to stretch the rib joints. He's quite right in that the Backpod doesn't get used just between your shoulder blades - the thoracic spine extends up to where your neck starts, and down to where your low back starts. Works all over that whole area, though concentrate on the tightest bits. You're doing fine if you're down to one pillow. Keep going. When all the hinges are moving fine, all you feel on the Backpod - with no pillow - is a satisfying stretch. Cheers, Steve August.

Hi Steve, thanks for the informative video and for the wonderful product! I have been dealing with this since July of this year and it is a horrible disease to have. I had one question - I have noticed that on the day after using the backpod, my sternum feels less tight however I start feeling short of breath occasionally. Is this something which is supposed to happen? I know that the cause of the shortness of breath is non-cardiac in nature since I have had multiple tests done with my cardiologist which have all been normal and my 2nd rib cartilage is tender to touch. Thanks once again!

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jitesh. Just stick with it - the shortness of breath will settle down once your rib cage is fully free again. It was only happening anyway because the rib cage was tight - you can't take a full breath in if all the hinges can't move. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. Get them to go hard down between your shoulder blades.

@JiteshGurav

2 жыл бұрын

@@stevenzphysio4203 Thanks for the response, Steve! It feels very comforting to read your replies to all of the comments here. I will stick to using the backpod. Thank you so much once again, and have a great day day ahead! Stay safe!

Hi might sound a bit daft but this bit With costochondritis, make sure you also use the Backpod positioned slightly to the side of the spine over the curve of the ribs, to quietly stretch free the tightened rib joints. Does that mean just to the side of either side of the spine please? The instruction booklet never came with my back pod so I’m looking about for the instructions and watching the videos.

@stevenzphysio4203

4 жыл бұрын

Hi. There's a full Backpod user guide to download or view near the bottom of most pages on the Backpod's website www.backpod.co.nz That has the instructions for use in it. What the Backpod's doing is stretching tight thoracic spine and rib joints. You use it under the spine to stretch the spinal joints, moving it up and down the thoracic spine itself. You also use it to stretch the rib joints, where the ribs hinge onto each spinal vertebra. You stretch these rib joints by positioning the Backpod about 35-50mm (1.5 - 2 inches) out from the midline of the spine, over the curve of the ribs; so between the inside edge of your shoulder blade and the spine. Do both sides. You want to free up that whole thoracic and rib cage area, but the tightest bits will need more than the not-so-tight bits. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. As well, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. That upper traps one will be ideal for your remaining scarring in there. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html Hope that makes sense. Chase what feels tightest. Sure, it can get a bit tender for the first few days as things start to move again. Stick with it. It takes time to stretch the tight stuff - it's really tough. Cheers, Steve August.

Hi Steve, The Backpod has helped me tremendously, I’m pregnant and at 19 weeks I started feeling horrible stabbing pain in my sternum and front ribs on my left side. It was debilitating as I couldn’t sit for more than 20 min without horrible pain and would wake up crying multiple nights a week/could barely sleep. I tried everything, 6 weeks of PT as recommended my by doc, chiropractor, and massage but nothing provided relief. Three weeks ago I bought the Backpod at 28w, it has done wonders. I do use it about 3x per day for 10 minutes each, now I can sit for hours and no excruciating stabbing pains keeping me up at night. I am however still pretty tight and get the stabbing pain every so often. I saw it should be about 90% better at this point, and wondering what additional recommendations to help this resolve. Just hoping to be pretty improved before labor and saw another pregnant woman post about some massages my partner can do to help? Thank you Steve! I would be really suffering without your invention!

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Stephanie. It’s common for costo to start over pregnancy. As the baby bulge gets bigger, the rib cage is forced apart a bit. If the rib joints round the back are too tight to move, then the ones on your breastbone get strained out more, often with popping and cracking and sharp stabbing pain - a lot like spraining your ankle slowly. That’s what the pain is - it’s not a “mysterious inflammation”, no matter what you may have been told. This can continue even after your baby is born, because the tight rib machinery around the back stays frozen, so the joints on your breastbone have to keep moving too much to compensate. So they click, pop, ‘give’, get sore - and welcome to costo. So, you would have been tight in your rib cage before your pregnancy. I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. It's what we built the Backpod for primarily. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod's website - link is www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ The simple home programme there (and in the Backpod's user guide) is aimed pulling you straight and free again. You can't do all the bits in the programme while you're pregnant, but do talk, bargain or bribe your partner into doing the two home massages. The sitting one especially done all the way down to the low back is ideal, and you can do it all the way through your pregnancy. It's shown as a video on the page. Good luck with everything! Cheers, Steve August.

@marilyngradillag.3967

3 жыл бұрын

Hello Stephanie I’m currently pregant too 31 weeks but this started happening about two months prior to me being pregant.. this is my second week going into my second week of using and I still feel the same but I’m not sure if I’m doing it right .. did you place the backpod directly on your spine ?? I’ve been placing mine on the sides of my sides and sometimes icing the front when I get bad flares .. please help !!

Hi Steve - I bought the Backpod and it arrived today (Yay!). I bought it because of tightness in the centre of my chest. However, I have also been suffering from numb hands at night, that I thought was unrelated... I haven't been able to replicate this (numb hands) while being awake until tonight using the backpod - numb hands in moments. Do you have any experience of this with clients? Any hints and tips on how I can use backpod to relieve this - it would be a win-win! Admire your responses on these queries. Top work. Best regards, Aidan

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Aidan. What you’re telling me is that you’re really tight, and probably a bit hunched also. It’s really common, you are not alone, and what you’re describing as things start to loosen on the Backpod is common also. No worries about the numbness - it’s just that you’ll have been tight through the muscles where your nerves are running through your shoulder girdle and down your arm. These are getting stretched when you lie on the Backpod - which is a good thing. The tingling and numbness is just from the nerves being pulled on a bit as they stretch. You can put a pillow under each elbow when you’re lying on the Backpod. Or simply drop your arms by your sides. (You won’t need to when it’s a bit looser.) That’ll mean there isn’t as much stretch on the muscles and nerves down the arm. Go and see a good massage therapist and get them to work all round the chest, shoulder girdle and the muscles down the arms. That’ll loosen the muscles the nerves are running through. However this may definitely be risky with COVID-19. I don't know where you are in the world. In any case, you can also start stretching the nerves and muscles gently. Lie on your back on a table, knees bent up, with your left shoulder just off the edge of the table. Hold your palm upwards, then bend your hand and fingers back, then drop the straight arm gently down towards the floor (arm out at 90˚ to your body) until you feel a good stretch and even some tingling down the arm. That’s stretching it all. Hold for several seconds, then lift up the arm to take the stretch off, then do again, several times gently. It’s just a stretch. It’ll all disappear when things are loose enough. That you have the tingles/numbness at all does tell me you were pretty tight to begin with. It’ll stretch (and massage) out fine. Stick with it. You’ve been tight a long time and this stuff takes time to loosen. Think of having a hamstring muscle so tight you can’t touch your knees. It takes weeks to get down to your toes, but that’s the real world. The numbness should clear as the joints and muscles free up. Cheers, Steve August.

Hi Steve, is this safe to use if you have osteoarthritis c4-7 and congential calcifications at t10? I also have Ehlers Danlos so my spine is very unstable, I see you've addressed nerve compression issues already.

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Hello,Christina. I can't tell accurately over KZread comments. Better ask your doctor. However the Backpod is only a small cushioned lump providing a stretch. You grade the stretch with pillows under your head so that it's only mild, especially over the first week or so until things start to free up - as the instructions say. It's completely under your own control. However EDS usually needs stabilisation, not even more flexibility. I do find Pilates is useful in the long run - the more muscle stabilisation for your spine you can get, the better.

Hi Steve. I just got mine yesterday. At the end of this video you mentioned to do it in the evening. Can I do this in the morning? Thanks.

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Sure. Once a day, anytime during the day, is fine. Ten minutes on the Backpod with it in several positions is a fair amount of stretching for the joints. it still takes weeks (usually) before they're freed up mostly. It's tough stuff you're stretching and it does take time.

I have watched a few of ur videos and am wanting to give the backpod a go! Ive had costo for 3-4 years now...just wondering, do I need to get my spine unlocked by a chiropractor before I start? Or can I stretch/massage and use the backpod only to fix my issue?

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

No, I'd just start. Here's a long wordy PDF on what we find works best for costo. It is easier read on a computer, not a phone. Re a chiro, see section (7). Good luck with the work. www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/Costo-treatment-plan-incl-Costo-and-iHunch-PDFs-19-July-2022.pdf

Hi Doctor! I’m sure I probably know the answer to this, but is it okay to exercise while just starting to use the backpod? I am extremely tight ( can barely do it with three pillows ) but would like to still get some form of exercise while my body tries to heal while using the backpod. Even at home workouts make it flare up, so maybe I should just stick to walking right now?

@stevenzphysio4203

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Faith. Stick to walking for now. Costo is different. You can't train through it, sorry. The core of the problem is that the rib joints round the back can't move at all, so the joints at the other end of the same ribs where they hinge onto your breastbone HAVE to move excessively - every breath you take. So they strain, 'give', get irritated, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. So, this means that any general exercise you do, whether in the gym, yoga, stretches, etc. just further strains the already strained rib joints on your breastbone - way before you get a benefit to the tight rib joints round the back. You can't train through costo, and you can't fix it by training. There are some videos out there that reckon you can, but anyone who thinks you can doesn't understand it. Sure, general muscle support, especially the muscles around the back, and stretching, etc. are helpful, but only, repeat only, after you've freed up the rib machinery around the back first. That's why we use the Backpod. You're really tight, hence the three pillows, so it will take a few weeks at least before the joints have stretched free enough not to need a pillow at all. When you get to that, then you can start doing exercises again. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. As well, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html Well done on thinking for yourself, and good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August.

Hi Steve! I’ve messaged you before but have another follow up question I’m hoping you can help with. I’ve been getting massages and it seems that if I get an aggressive back massage, I get a costo flare up. I’ve been doing the backpod every day for 4 months and have been feeling really good! Other than the flare ups I get after massage. Any insight into how/why a massage would put strain on the front joints? Thank you!!

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

Hmm. Good question. I wouldn't normally expect that. How aggressive is "aggressive"? If you're lying on your front and they're really going hard on your back, I guess they could be straining the rib joints on your breastbone, which you're lying on. Also, are they doing anything else, like jiggling the rib joints on your sternum, say? That'll sure flare them. Actually, if they're doing a good job on the muscles around your back, you will sit straighter and with your shoulders back more. This is good, but also pulls a bit on your front, especially the pecs. Costo is so flarey anyway, that could be enough to give the increased pain at the front. If that's the case, then just stretch your pecs as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html Also, you could try this specific bit as well. What you can get with costo and especially Tietze’s Syndrome is swelling where the ribs join onto your breastbone. (Tietze's is just costo with enough swelling of the joints where the ribs join onto your breastbone to be noticeable.) All it is is intracellular fluid - the same sort of fresh fluid swelling that happens if you sprain your ankle. As with a sprained ankle, after a week the fluid swelling sets hard. This is just the normal inflammatory response of strained joints - there’s no auto-immune component. It’s a normal repair process, with fibrin in the fluid acting as a slow setting glue to hold everything together while the torn fibres and cells are repairing. With costo and Tietze’s, the irritation and strain can continue for months or years, so you can get a rock-like build-up of this stuff, often with a bit of fresh swelling on top. It’s a bit like running with tight boots causing a blister and NEVER STOPPING for years. As long as the rib hinges round the back can’t move, then the rib joints on your breastbone HAVE to keep straining - every breath you take. So you often get some hardened swelling there where the ribs join onto the breastbone. This doesn’t just interfere with the normal free glide of the rib hinges, it also binds down the free nerve endings and receptors, tethering them and making them hypersensitive. If you’ve had thoracic surgery, especially a spinal split, you’ll have surgical scarring tying things down even more. Break it down. This is like working hard putty or play dough or cold pastry dough until it becomes malleable. You can do this yourself. Use something to let your fingers slide. Massage wax is better than oil - oil dribbles. Massage wax is best for the massage itself, but ideally afterwards work in something that will also reduce the irritation of working these sensitive bits around, like Voltaren (diclofenac) anti-inflammatory gel or CBD cream like Penetrex or a Menthol cream like BioFreeze (usually available on Amazon). You won’t weaken the scarring round the joints or any surgical scar, just make it flexible and not pulling on the nerves. Spend about 10-15 minutes every three or four days working your fingers through the hardened bits in all directions. Start gently - it’ll get easier as you continue. It will be tender and probably sore - it gets easier as it frees up. The first time is the worst. Just do what it feels like it can handle, and expect to feel it tender, especially to touch, afterwards. It takes time - probably a few or several weeks. But it’s easy enough to do. It’s the main answer to this specific bit of the problem. But just done on its own it’ll keep coming back, unless you sort out the tight ribs round the back driving it - which you've pretty much done well. Good luck with the work. Keep going. The only way out is through. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

Hi Steve, they recently shut down chiropractors here - and I've been getting adjusted once a week for over 2 years. When I try to do a pullup, I feel something like popping out of the place where your sternum ends and the rib cage begins to split. My neck hurts and when I pull my shoulders back like for good posture, they click over and over. I feel like something is off in between my shoulder blades that is affecting my neck. Sometimes it moves to the middle of my thoracic spine. The collar bone in the front just below it also feels pain sometimes. Is this costo related? I have tried a tennis ball with a towel and get a bit of help, but feel like the backpod may be better solution?

@stevenzphysio4203

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Jonathon. Why on Earth are you still going to the chiro weekly when after two years of it you're still getting problems? Look, I've no idea specifically what your chiro's doing - they vary hugely inside countries and also outside the US. The good ones are very good, but I don't have a high opinion of the trad US ones for treating costochondritis generally. (1) They usually use the standard body-slam-onto-the-patient-with-their-fist-in-your-back technique. This is simply a dumb choice with costo, because it just squashes and strains further the already strained rib joints on your breastbone. Every single time that it's done. (2) In my experience, they have a bias towards manipulating the spinal joints and (often) missing the rib joints - and freeing these up is the irreducible core of fixing most costo. (3) If you're getting the common five minute treatment session, we regard that as just a joke and a racket. By comparison, my assessment and treatment sessions as a New Zealand physiotherapist last an hour - you need that time to thoroughly go over the usual back or neck problem. (4) All manipulation does is bang a tight hinge free. It doesn't put anything at all "back in" - that's just a nonsense phrase meaning nothing. I’m speaking as a New Zealand manual physio - I’ve used manipulation on my patients - where appropriate - for over 30 years. It cannot, repeat cannot, in a split second crack stretch out the very tough collagen of the ligaments and joint capsule surrounding the joint which will have stiffened down around the immobile joint. So this just freezes the hinge up again rapidly. That's why we developed the Backpod - to stretch out the collagen so the joints can stay free and you get a lasting improvement. We think the chiro approach of continually banging the same bits free is silly and expensive. Rule of thumb (ho ho) - if you're getting a temporary improvement with chiro (so it is a joint problem) then you should get a permanent freeing up on the Backpod. It’s particularly relevant to costo - the Backpod is the only thing we can find that will actually do an effective stretch on tight rib joints, and this is the crucial thing in fixing costo. Sorry - I thought it needed saying! I'd say on balance your best bet is to get a Backpod and use it plus the home exercises, stretches and massages; plus have a couple of sports massages when you're out of lockdown. If you strongly bang joints with manipulation too much for too long they get floppy, like someone who's cracked their knuckles too much. Fingers crossed yours are good enough to eventually settle down, but I can't tell over KZread. Cheers, Steve August.

Also, has this got a spongy springy feel or is it rock hard? I'm a.little worried it may give me a bruised sore feeling to my back. Is that normal if that happens at first?

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

The core is rock hard for a stronger stretch, which is why the Backpod has a spongy, springy cushioning outer layer. Yes, you can feel things a bit as you start to stretch on the Backpod. That's normal and not a biggie. Same as stretching a tight hamstring - if you couldn't feel anything then it wouldn't be doing anything.

Good morning .. I would like to buy the product, but I live in Brazil. What site indicates for the purchase of backpod, other than amazon.com, which is charging a very high import rate, making the purchase impossible. Thank you.

@stevenzphysio4203

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Ariel. I just don't know. I'm the physio who invented the Backpod - I don't have anything to do with the selling. Try the BUY page on the Backpod's website www.backpod.co.nz Those are our main suppliers and their prices are reasonable. Watch out for others who are selling the Backpod at really high prices - they are our Backpods but it's definitely a racket. If still no luck, try getting someone outside Brazil to buy one and send it to you. Cheers, Steve August.

Hi. For anyone who's just come onto this video, the Backpod is a New Zealand designed and produced spinal fulcrum, specifically for stretching out a tightened, hunched spine and its associated rib joints. It's part of a simple collection of home strengthening, stretching, massage and posture that is an accurate counter to the problems you get from much hunching forward - usually over laptops, tablets and smartphones. Have a look at www.bodystance.co.nz/ihunch.php which is a breakdown of what goes wrong and how to correct each bit. Cheers, Steve August.

@harveystone5194

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for replying steve, i now have the official back pod, first i used it wrong and for too long which caused massive inflammation, so i gave it a break for a day, then i got a cold which inflamed my chest for a week, and now i dont have a cold and have been using it properly for about 4 days not over extending the stretch by keeping 3 pillows until im ready for 2 and not over doing it time wise, 7-10 minutes a day once a day. i really dont know how to tell if its getting better but i am trusting the process. question, my chest sternum feels really tender and ready to pop in the morning especially, is there any reason behind this and is there any way to minimalize it so it does not get inflamed. fortunately i have experienced enough inflammation in that area to know mostly what causes it and what does not, so i am able to work around that area most of the time. Thankyou for all you've done steve, you really are saving peoples lives

Hi Steve! Super nice video. Been using the backpod for a few weeks and my sternum area feels almost free of pain, though now it seems to have moved to the fake and floating ribs. Can I still use the backpod and lower it in the spine to move the lower ribs? Also my chest feels tight but no pain in the sternum area, seems like maybe scar tissue has created in the front of the chest? Seems something hard is there making tight... thanks a lot!

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Javier. Nice going - you're getting there, and you're entirely correct about needing to free up the soft tissue around the front somewhat too. Yes, just go lower with the Backpod as well to hit the ribs that need it. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However NOT until it’s safe with COVID-19. At a minimum, you should both wear masks, hand sanitise, and when you get home take all your clothes off and put them straight into the washing machine and you straight into the shower, including washing your hair. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. Get them to go hard down between your shoulder blades. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

@JavierdeFranciscoMonte

3 жыл бұрын

@@stevenzphysio4203 thanks a lot for this great reply. I appreciate it a lot. Will follow your recommendations. You are really great :)

Hi Steve! I just purchased the backpod (arriving by tonight-yay!) wondering if my symptoms are 'classic' costo as I feel so alone. This started randomly 3 weeks ago as I was vacuuming, i lost my breathe and have severe chest tightness. Went to the hospital, did ECG's, CT scans, Xrays, Echocardiograms, bloods etc all came back normal. Was diagnosed with costo and severe inflammation in my sternum. I constantly feel 'winded' like short of breathe and very tight. Been put on celebrex (unsure if doing anything as i still feel winded etc) and in pressure pain. Hoping this will help fix this issue!! Was perfectly fine 3 weeks ago before this.....any advice? Cant wait to try your product - heard great reviews! Thank you kindly

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Hi Jana. Well, I can't tell definitively whether it's costo over KZread comments. But the docs have checked you out thoroughly for the heart and other dire stuff (which they're good at) and reckon that's all clear. Breathlessness is a classic costo symptom. Costo is essentially strain at the rib joints on your breastbone. It happens because the rib joints around the back are frozen solid and can't move. This also causes breathlessness, because you can't take a full breath in if you can't expand your rib cage fully. So you fix the problem by freeing up the frozen rib machinery around the back. Well done on thinking for yourself and getting a Backpod - that's what it's for.

Hi Steve hope all is well , I’ve been using the back pod for about a month now had costo since jan , it’s really helped with my breathing opening up the rib cage but I’m still have lots of pain at the front sternum even after going down to 0 pillows and following the steps , any advice ? Thankyou

@goo5976

10 ай бұрын

I’m not Steve obviously but there’s no way to answer this well. Your best bet is to figure out if your sleeping position, posture, daily activities or lack there of are causing your issues.

Hi Steve, question for you. Along with costo (have had for yearrrrs) I have a lot of knots and tenderness in the left shoulder blade area. Also have had for many years. Posture/stress/certain exercises can flair it. I just used the backpod for the first time tonight and I’m having pain and soreness in my left shoulder blade. Deep crampy ache. I used 3 pillows and don’t feel I over did it. Do you recommend ice and then heat for this? I got the back pod about 2 years ago and after my first couple of uses I stopped because the pain was increasing. I am determined now to take it slow and work through the soreness because I know relief is on the other side. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks for all you do!

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Hi. Well, you've had costo for years. So that means for years the patch of rib and spinal joints around the back which causes the compensatory strain and pain at the front rib joints, has been frozen solid. The straining at the rib joints on your breastbone will continue as long as the joints of the same ribs around the back can't move. So the only way I know that actually fixes it is freeing up the frozen movement around the back of your rib cage. The Backpod is ideal for that. But, if you stretch anything in the body too much too soon in one hit - it'll hurt. So all you do is do a reasonable stretch, and accept that it'll take weeks to free up mostly. Also, you might get a bit of treatment soreness in the first week. This is just normal physio. It's not a biggie. So, follow the instructions in the Backpod's user guide. Grade the stretches with pillows under your head so they're not too bad. Don't do them more than the instructions say , especially in the first week. As well, get somebody doing the two home massages shown in the user guide. That'll ease the tight scarred muscles overlying the frozen joints - they're part of the problem. I never found ice was much good for this part of the problem; heat helps a bit; massage is way better than either. Here's a long wordy PDF covering what's going on, the best ways to use the Backpod for costo, and the other bits you'll also need to deal to. It's more easily read on a computer, not a phone. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August. www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/Costo-treatment-plan-incl-Costo-and-iHunch-PDFs-19-July-2022.pdf

Steve if I have lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis would I still be able to use it on my spine?

@stevenzphysio4203

8 ай бұрын

Yes - that's what it's for. It's just for your thoracic spine, though - it's not for your lumbar spine. Your thoracic spine is hunched, and lying back on the Backpod is an excellent to quietly stretch that free and back to its normal slight forward curve. It's very, very common. Your low back already has an exaggerated hollow, so using the Backpod there will make it worse. So don't - the Backpod is not a low back device. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod's website: www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ That is probably now the biggest upper spinal problem in the computer-savvy world. We built the Backpod and its little home program specifically to counter it. Good luck with the work.

I know these videos are old but I’ve learned so much and really appreciate your research and knowledge! I am 10 days into using the back pod. I have a tender spot on one of ribs right under my left breast. Is that consistent with costcochondritis? I’ve had on and off pain and discomfort for a few months. When it first started, by the end of the week I was Panicked and called the ambulance because I thought I was having a heart attack. It’s caused me great anxiety over the last few months with the location of the discomfort in my chest. I hope the back pod gives me relief!

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Bridget. Well done on thinking for yourself, deciding I might know what I’m talking about, and getting a Backpod. Sure, the tender spot under your ribs is completely consistent with costo. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However NOT until it’s safe with COVID-19. At a minimum, you should both wear masks, hand sanitise, and when you get home take all your clothes off and put them straight into the washing machine and you straight into the shower, including washing your hair. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. Get them to go hard down between your shoulder blades. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

@bridgetswoger5275

2 жыл бұрын

@@stevenzphysio4203 thank you! So much good stuff to try. I’ve been stretching along with the back pod and I think that’s helping.

Hi, So I've had the backpod for about two weeks now, initiallly I felt great relief, however I seem to have hit a wall and slight discomfort is starting to occur any suggestions, I also have lower back pain along with pain in the front rib area and soreness in the chest. Thank you very much.

@stevenzphysio4203

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Morgan. Mm - more data would help. Would be good to know how old you are, any other medical conditions, how you costo came on and how long you've had it for, how you've been using the Backpod and for how long, exactly where is the pain, etc. The clearer picture I have, the more useful I can be. If you still need a pillow under your head to use the Backpod, then you're still tight in the machinery around the back, and you'll get the occasional flare until it's fully clear. Usually it takes about three weeks to free up the hinges mostly - it is very tough stuff you're stretching and it takes time. Stick with it. Or, you could simply be moving reasonably around the back now but still tight and scarred in the soft tissue round the front. Shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. As well, stretch your pec muscles. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html Those are the two likeliest answers, until you give me some more details. Lots more - how's it been for you? Can't help with the low back, sorry. Those are just way more complex than the thoracic spine and ribs and you really need a personal assessment and treatments. I know finding someone good can be a lottery. Cheers, Steve August.

Hey Steve, aside from soreness, are there any other negative consequences from progressing too quickly on the backpod? I started using no pillows rather quickly since I felt I could handle it. Sometimes it's pretty intense but I can make it through. Now watching your videos it seems like it shouldn't feel intense at all. Would you recommend me going up a level (add a pillow), or am I fine staying where I'm at?

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

We try to start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. It will take weeks, at least - it's really tough stuff you're stretching. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However NOT until it’s safe with COVID-19. At a minimum, you should both wear masks, hand sanitise, and when you get home take all your clothes off and put them straight into the washing machine and you straight into the shower, including washing your hair. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. Get them to go hard down between your shoulder blades. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

How do you lay the backpod between the shoulder blades and the spine. I feel like it is too big to fit in between there. Especially when taking my hands behind my head, it pulls the shoulder blades even closer together. What position should my arms be in to get to the ribs best?

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Thelvo. Sorry about the delay - I've been away. The peak of the Backpod will still fit in between your spine and the inside edge of your shoulder blade. You do get a much better stretch for the tight ribs if your hands are behind your head, as the photos and diagrams show. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However NOT until it’s safe with COVID-19. At a minimum, you should both wear masks, hand sanitise, and when you get home take all your clothes off and put them straight into the washing machine and you straight into the shower, including washing your hair. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. Get them to go hard down between your shoulder blades. This will make it easier to fit the Backpod in there. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html Cheers, Steve August.

Hi, thanks for the video, it´s very informative. I have a question, I live in China and amazon US does not deliver here, I was wondering if there is any other way to purchase it. Thanks in advance

@stevenzphysio4203

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Pedro. Just spotted your question - sorry didn't reply earlier. I think Amazon has just in the last few weeks opened into China. I'm not certain. Otherwise, I guess best is to get someone to buy you one in the US or elsewhere and send it to you. Cheers, Steve August.

@pedrocxbx

6 жыл бұрын

Just got one through amazon china, looking forward to it. Thanks, Steve!

Hi Steve, One question about the backpod in regards to stretching the tight rib joints. I've progressed to a stage where I don't need pillows, backside is in the air, and I've turned the backpod horizontally. I'm still getting breathlessness and chest tightness though. When I lay on the backpod (to the sides of the spine) I can feel my ribs and I am able to position the backpod in between them. I spend about 3 minutes on each spot and shift down in between the next set of ribs. Is this the correct approach or should I be positioning the backpod directly on top of the ribs?

@stevenzphysio4203

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Matt. Sounds like you're doing it exactly correctly. So the rib joints around the back must be freeing up well. Push it more to get the last bit, plus you may simply need other surrounding bits dealt to as well. This is unsurprising - if the rib cage joints around the back haven't moved for months or years,then the muscle overlying them plus between the ribs plus your pecs may need massage and stretching also. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Now you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. For the ribs, use the Backpod parallel to the spine, so it fits between the inside edge of the scapula and the spine itself. Use it across the spine to get more leverage there. Also, now you're at that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However NOT until it’s safe with COVID-19. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then you’d better do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. You have to free the rib cage to allow a full breath in, but even then it can take longer before the lungs sort of inflate fully again. simply going for walks with big breathes helps that lots, so long as the costo isn't sore. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

Hey - any thoughts on whether this might help dull low back pain from a weightlifting induced L5-S1 disc protrusion?

@stevenzphysio4203

10 ай бұрын

Sorry - it's a stretching device for the middle back, not the low back.

Hi Steve, I finally caved and got the BackPod. (We’ve communicated over on Reddit). How long should you be using the BackPod per session? I ended up doing 10-15 minutes and I think that was way too long for my first time. I woke up with chest pain. It feels like someone is sitting on my chest and I can’t inhale fully. So it should be 5 minutes more and then after a week go up to 10 mins? Thanks!

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

Hi. Why have you not read the instructions? This is a serious question - I'd really like to understand why some people don't simply do that. I'm assuming your Backpod came with the usual 32-page user guide. Although if you're in the EU or UK, this doesn't always happen. If you didn't get one, here's the PDF: www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf

Hi Steve! My lower ribs also hurt, will this heal them like the upper ones? Should I use it under the shoulder blades to fix them?

@stevenzphysio4203

4 жыл бұрын

Hi. It's not really a healing problem, more a tight tethering one. If the lower ribs are sore because they're tight, then you need to use the Backpod on them to free them up. All the Backpod's doing is acting like a fulcrum to bring enough leverage to bear to stretch free specific tight rib and spinal joints. So whatever rib is tight and sore, that's the one you need the Backpod under to stretch the joint back to full movement. So if you're tight and sore on the lower ribs, then under those ones the Backpod should go. Although it's a good idea to do the whole rib cage anyway - you want it all moving well and freely. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Cheers, Steve August.

Hey Steve I've had costo for about 2 years now. I got the backpod about 2 months ago and I've been using it for about 10 minutes twice a day. My costo definitely feels a lot better but I still have a little bit of pain. It also goes on and off where there are some days where there is almost no pain and some days where there is more pain (still less pain than before I used the backpod though). Is there anything else I can do besides the backpod or will it get better after using the backpod for more time?

@stevenzphysio4203

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Alex. Well done on thinking for yourself. It's obviously much improved, but you can need a few extras to clear the last bit. Now that presumably you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However NOT until it’s safe with COVID-19. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then you’d better do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

I don't have costo or rib pain to speak of, but I do have spurring in T10-11, T11-12, C4-5, and C5-6 as well as a 7 degree curve in T5-8. I have a cervical rib which may or may not be contributing to a massive knot I have had for months (really off and on for over a decade) in my left trapezius and tension in the occiput. Professional massages help, but the discomfort and eventually pain and tension always slowly comes back. Would this help with the pain and are there any other tools or specific stretches I can do to alleviate this tension?

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

The Backpod, plus the home programme of home massage, stretches, etc., would help with parts of your problem, but not all. It might be helpful if I explain costo, thoracic outlet syndrome, pec minor impingement and the iHunch, from my New Zealand physiotherapist (PT) viewpoint. Although these are all separate labels, actually there’s a large amount of overlap. I think this makes it confusing. The iHunch is the name we give to the immensely common hunched upper back which drives most neck pain and headache. This is a tsunami - the numbers are going up like a sky rocket as more people hunch more over laptops, tablets and smartphones. My impression is that the iHunch is now the biggest cause of new costo. When the upper back hunching gets tight enough, the rib joints on your spine also tighten and freeze. When they can’t move, the joints at the other ends of the same ribs on your breastbone HAVE to move excessively, just to let you breathe. So these hinges strain, give, irritate, get inflamed - and welcome to costo. (There are also other causes of costo, but this is probably the biggest - costo on top of the iHunch.) As the upper back hunches, your shoulders pull forward, and the pec muscles on your chest get tight and bunched. The nerves and blood vessels which run down your arms come out the low part of your neck and the upper part of your back and run out through this hunched, constricted, tight area. If some bits in the area are tight enough, they can partially cut off the blood supply (like someone standing on a garden hose) and also trap the nerves running down your arms (causing referred pain, tingling and/or numbness down the arms). This is generally called thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) and is a sort of general term for enough impingement through the area to cause arm symptoms. Pec minor impingement is another term, for specific muscle tightness on your chest trapping the blood supply or nerves which run under it. It’s often just part of TOS, which is often just part of the iHunch. Your cervical rib will be adding to it, but it's not the full problem. The point is that usually none of these problems happen in isolation. They all sort of overlap and flow into each other. Basically, they’re all the sort of problems humans get when they start to get hunched and tight, and various specific structures start to trap nerves or blood vessels. So, sure, you can commonly get more than just the one problem. In my experience, surgeons particularly will focus on just the one specific bit they can release with a scalpel. This may indeed be needed, but that bit is hardly ever just in isolation, and you usually need the whole interrelated bundle sorted out to get a good and lasting result. There’s a good diagram on the iHunch page of the Backpod’s website showing the collection of bits that need dealing to, and a home program for it which includes strengthening, stretching, massage, posture, Backpod, etc. See www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ I find you can hardly ever fix any of this stuff with just one single, simple intervention - whether it’s surgery, a pill, manipulation, etc. They’re multi-factorial problems, so you need to get around all of the bits to get anywhere. I think that’s the real world. Cheers, Steve August.

Is this same method used for copd patients to aid on breathing exercise?

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

No idea - CPOD treatment varies around the world. But regardless of the state of your lungs, you can't take a full breath in if you can't expand your rib cage fully. In COPD patients, the rib cage itself has usually become tight, and this is usually missed by docs concentrating (fairly enough0 on the lungs themselves. The Backpod is ideal for quietly stretching free the tight or frozen rib joints round the back.

Hi Steve I've tried using the backpod and I didn't need the pillows because I didn't feel the pain in my sternum when I would lie down without them. I am only feeling pain/discomfort in my back where I'm lying on it and more pain when I come back up to sitting straight. As soon as I stick my chest out and look down the pain starts. I've noticed the pain is on the upper left area of my sternum. I'm putting the pod in the middle of my spine right in between my shoulder blades while interlocking my fingers behind my head. I've noticed that my left elbow has a hard time coming all the way down and I feel a pinch near my traps and shoulder. Is this something that can also be fixed with the backpod or is this a sort of shoulder impingement? I've also tried lifting my buttocks off the ground when using it but the pressure pain that it gives my back is too much. I'm currently using it vertically.

@michaelbruno1134

5 жыл бұрын

Spark I have the exact same thing, the nerve pinch feeling in my shoulder blade/trap. Thought I was the only one.

I’ve been using this for about a week, I feel like it instantly helped my sternum pain esp when I would press down on my sternum, it was amazing. However, I’m still dealing with cracking and my upper back pain is severe today and now wondering if I overdid it with the backpod yesterday :( I really hope that’s the case. Is it normal for Costco pain affect your back? Will the backpod help with that?

@stevenzphysio4203

Жыл бұрын

The reason you've had the sternum pain is because your rib joints around your back have been frozen and not moving. The Backpod is helping with that - that's why your sternum pain is much less after only a week. The cracking can take many months to settle, even after you've cleared the pain. Yep, you've probably done too much in one go. It takes weeks, at least to stretch the tight rib and spinal machinery around the back free. It's not instant, and if you stretch anything in the body too much in one go it'll hurt. Just follow what the instructions say. Get someone to do the two massages shown in the Backpod's user guide on you, every 5-7 days. Get them to go hard between your shoulder blades. The muscle there overlying the tight joints will be tight and scarred as well. Freeing it up also will be an immediate help.

Hi Steve have you ever heard of people having muscle twitching from Costo by chance? Just ordered the backpod and I know it will help with Costo, but wondering if it would also help with this persistent muscle twitching all over my body that started around the same time

@stevenzphysio4203

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Mike. Not really. You can get a reflex twitch when something's painful, or just about to be painful. I don't know where your muscle twitching is. See if you still have it when you've fixed your costo. Do add in the massages - see below. Well done on thinking for yourself, deciding I might know what I’m talking about, and getting a Backpod. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZread video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pGuqx5infrnKh8Y.html This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However do it safely with COVID-19 around. At a minimum, you should both wear masks and hand sanitise. This may also help the muscle twitchers heaps. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. Get them to go hard down between your shoulder blades. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZread - link is kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5qKrbSRmLy8daQ.html I’m guessing this next bit, but the commonest reason these days for costo starting is if you’re getting a bit hunched, usually from much bending over computers, phones, patients or whatever - we call it the iHunch. As part of the spine getting a bit hunched and tight, the rib joints attaching to your spine also stiffen and seize. When they can’t move, then the joints at the other ends of the same ribs MUST work excessively just to let you keep breathing. So they strain, ‘give’, irritate, get locally inflamed - and welcome to costo. It’s not a “mysterious inflammation” arriving for no reason. Have a look at the iHunch page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ If that looks like a fit with you, then do all the bits in the Backpod’s home program - we designed it specifically to counter the iHunch and pull you back towards perfect posture. It’s worth looking at the Perfect Posture page also. Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).

Steve sir small doubt doing 15 minutes 3 times is enough sir.plz suggest